SEOUL: North Korean hacking groups have broken into at least two South Korean firms of chipmaking equipment, as the country looks to evade sanctions and turn out its own semiconductors for weapons programs, South Korea’s spy agency said on Monday.
The incursions, disclosed by South Korea’s spy agency, highlight Pyongyang’s efforts to sidestep sanctions and bolster its own semiconductor capabilities, potentially for use in weapons programs.
According to the National Intelligence Service (NIS) of South Korea, the targeted South Korean firms have been under attack by North Korean hackers since late last year. The hackers successfully infiltrated the companies’ servers in December and February, pilfering sensitive data including product design drawings and photographs of their facilities.
North Korea to Manufacture Its Own Semiconductors
The NIS issued a statement expressing concern that North Korea may be gearing up to manufacture its own semiconductors in response to challenges in procuring them due to international sanctions. The agency suggested that the demand for semiconductors from North Korea’s satellite, missile, and other weapons programs could be a driving factor behind these efforts.
The hacking operations reportedly employed a sophisticated technique known as “living off the land,” which involves leveraging existing, legitimate tools within the targeted servers to evade detection by security software. This method makes it challenging for cybersecurity experts to identify and mitigate such attacks.
Pyongyang has consistently denied any involvement in cybercrimes, despite being accused of orchestrating numerous cyberattacks that have resulted in substantial financial gains. The latest breach underscores the ongoing cybersecurity threats posed by North Korea and highlights the need for enhanced security measures to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive intellectual property.
