North Korea Sending Phishy Emails To The South

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The South Korean Police recently announced that it has opened an investigation into what appear to be fraudulent emails sent to S Korean officials. The email impersonated key S Korean offices, among them: Office of Senior Secretary to the President for Foreign Affairs and National Security, Office of National Security, Unification Policy Office, and Office of Director General for Policy Planning (part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). The emails were supposedly requesting advice on N Korea’s recent nuclear tests.

The police are concerned that the emails were part of hacking attempt by the North on S Korean officials, as the majority of them were sent to officials in government bodies.

“The emails had subjects such as ‘(Office of National Security) requesting to plan to counter North Korea’s 4th nuclear test’ and ‘This is the Office of Senior Secretary to the President for Foreign Affairs and National Security,’” South Korean police told the Chosun Ilbo.

The Department of Cyber Terror, as well as independent cyber security experts, have warned against opening any suspicious emails.

“It is extremely hard for ordinary users to know whether the email sender is genuine or not, as hackers can easily alter the sender’s protocol (email address),” Samuel Koo, a cyber defense expert from Mirage Works told NK News.

Koo also warned to not open any suspicious emails if the apparent sender had no pertinent reason to send them.

“North Korea often has sent emails that have malignant code targeting South Korean officials to break down government networks.”

According to the Department of Cyber Terror Investigation of the South Korean police, no security breach involving N Korea watchers has yet been reported.

“We recommend overseas North Korea watchers to stay alert and report any signs of abnormality to the South Korean police.”