South Korea nuclear plant operator says hacked, raising alarm « ASHARQ AL-AWSAT

The coat of arms of South Korea Español: escudo de Corea del Sur 日本語: 大韓民国の国章 中文: 大韩民国国徽 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

South Korea nuclear plant operator says hacked, raising alarm « ASHARQ AL-AWSAT

Computer systems at South Korea’s nuclear plant operator have been hacked, the company said on Monday, sharply raising concerns about safeguards around nuclear facilities in a country that remains technically at war with North Korea.

The Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co Ltd (KHNP) and the government said only “non-critical” data was stolen by the hackers, and that there was no risk to nuclear installations, including the country’s 23 atomic reactors.

But the hacking was reported as the United States accused North Korea of a devastating cyber-attack on Sony Pictures.

Experts voiced alarm that the controls of the nuclear reactors could be at risk.

“This demonstrated that, if anyone is intent with malice to infiltrate the system, it would be impossible to say with confidence that such an effort would be blocked completely,” said Suh Kune-yull of Seoul National University.

“And a compromise of nuclear reactors’ safety pretty clearly means there is a gaping hole in national security,” said Suh, who specializes in nuclear reactor design.

The government is investigating but has not said who might be responsible. In 2013, South Korea accused the North of a series of cyber-attacks on banks and broadcasters. Anti-nuclear activists in South Korea have also protested against the use of nuclear power. More ...

Related articles

• S.Korea nuclear plant operator says hacked, raising alarm
• South Korea nuclear plant operator was hacked, but no risk to nuclear reactors
• 40 years of the MARIA research reactor
• Technology › GE, Hitachi reactor design advances toward approval in Britain
• Fire causes shutdown at Belgian nuclear reactor
• Industry increases efforts to develop safer, less expensive reactors