Reports: North Korean hackers steal US-South Korean war plans
What's the story
A large trove of South Korean classified military documents may have been stolen by North Korean hackers, according to a South Korean ruling party lawmaker, Rhee Cheol-hee. Rhee said around 235 GB of documents, including the latest South Korea-US wartime operational plan, were stolen from the South's Defense Integrated Data Center. The cyber-attack allegedly took place in September 2016.
Information
What documents were stolen by North Korea's cyber-attack?
Rhee told CNN that besides South Korea-US wartime operational plan, another document which comprised of procedures to "decapitate" the North Korean leadership was stolen. Reports given to the alliance's senior commanders were also compromised.
Reactions
North denies responsibility, US-South decline to comment
The South Korean Defense Ministry has declined to comment, saying the information was classified. The US Department of Defense too didn't comment on the alleged hack but expressed confidence "in the security of our operations plans." North Korea has denied responsibility and has accused the South of "fabricating" the allegations of the cyber-attacks.
Analysis
Breach could seriously threaten US-South Korea alliance during war
The breach could pose serious problems for the US-South Korean alliance depending on how detailed the hacked classified documents are. Tensions between the US-South Korean alliance and the North have been simmering, with talk of war. In the unlikely event of a conflict, the North may now possess crucial information about the alliance's weapons, battle plans, and location of command and control nodes.