The Internet hacker who caused a scare late last year when he posted blueprints of nuclear power plants and threatened to destroy the plants if their operations were not halted struck again last week.
The hacker, claiming to be an activist against nuclear power, on Thursday posted blueprints of what he claimed were SMART plants, the type of nuclear power plant that would be exported to the Middle East under the MOU signed recently between Korea and Saudi Arabia. The posting also included a transcript of the Jan. 2 telephone conversation between Park and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Unlike in previous threats, the hacker this time demanded money, claiming there could be more damage to come if the demand were not met.
The Blue House at first refused to confirm the hacking incident and the content of the posting. The Blue House national security special adviser was quick to point the finger at North Korea for the cyberattack, but dismissed the significance of the blueprints that were leaked.
The authorities have now characterized the incident as “psychological cyberwarfare” designed to raise ungrounded fears among the public. There have been no traces of additional hacking since end of last year and there are no signs indicating any threat to the safety of nuclear power plants, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
As for the leaked transcript of the phone call between Park and Ban, the Blue House denies that its cybersecurity was compromised. Instead, it has indicated that the transcript could have been taken from elsewhere.
However, these explanations are hardly satisfactory. It has been nearly three months since the nuclear power plant hackings took place but the special investigation team has not been able to produce any results. The authorities should not simply try to dismiss the latest threat without providing sufficient reasons.
When it comes to nuclear safety, precautions should not be spared. Rather than telling the public not to panic, the authorities should provide reassurance in the form of increased cybersecurity measures at all critical government facilities.
