South Korea’s national security has recently been put to the test by a series of alleged cyberattacks orchestrated by North Korea, aimed at obtaining sensitive technical information on the South’s strategic military equipment. According to the ruling People Power Party (PPP) in South Korea, these attacks have enabled the North to acquire crucial data regarding the K2 Black Panther tank and the SIGINT/ELINT aircraft used by the South Korean Armed Forces. This data breach could jeopardize the surveillance, reconnaissance, and defense capabilities of the South Korean military, as confirmed in an official statement from the party.
The PPP revealed that “presumed North Korean forces” had accessed sensitive data related to the Baekdu and Geumgang signals intelligence and reconnaissance aircraft, which are essential for monitoring North Korean activities along the border. In addition, technical information on the K2 Black Panther, the main and most advanced battle tank of the South Korean army, was also stolen. This tank, designed by the Agency for Defense Development and manufactured by Hyundai Rotem, is at the core of South Korea’s armored capabilities, with approximately 260 units in service and 150 more in the pipeline. The K2 is equipped with a 120mm autoloading main gun, advanced composite armor, and active protection systems (APS), making it a critical asset for South Korea’s ground defense.
Alongside the K2 data, the cyber attackers also stole information on the Baekdu and SIGINT/ELINT Geumgang reconnaissance aircraft, which are militarized versions of the Hawker 800XP, in service since 2002. These aircraft play a fundamental role in gathering intelligence on North Korean signals, contributing to South Korea’s national security. The theft of this information comes at a critical time, as South Korea is modernizing its Baekdu fleet in a project led by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), valued at approximately $640 million, which aims to convert four additional Dassault Falcon 2000LXS jets into advanced reconnaissance aircraft.