Foreign Ministry on Hacking Alert as Half of Overseas Missions Inspected Remotely

Data released by the Foreign Ministry on the 4th revealed that more than half of security checks on South Korea's overseas missions (embassies and consulates abroad) were carried out without on-site visits. Sixteen overseas missions were found to have undergone no security inspection at all since 2021. While regular general audits are mandated every two to four years, there is no separate regulation setting a cycle for security checks of overseas missions.

The hacking incident at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy resulted in an actual leak of information.

"As cyberattack attempts against the Foreign Ministry continue to increase, the importance of information security is growing ever greater," said Hong Ki-won, a lawmaker of the Democratic Party of Korea. "We must work proactively with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and other agencies to secure adequate budgets and personnel."