US and N Korea prepare to engage in cyber war

It is thought North Korea may have an army of 6000 hand-picked hackers.

UNITED STATES: The US and North Korea are planning sophisticated cyber attacks against each other, despite a recent diplomatic detente during the Winter Olympics, security and intelligence officials have reported.

North Korea is stepping up its cyber capabilities to target international aerospace and defence industries through a shadowy hackers group called Reaper, a new report has revealed.

The group, also known as APT37, was identified by an American private security company which tracks cyber attackers.

It has reported that North Korea is using malware to infiltrate computer networks and represents ‘‘an advanced persistent threat’’ that has dramatically increased the reach of its already formidable cyber operations.

This follows revelations over the past few days that the US is planning cyber attacks in an effort to bring to heel the regime of Kim Jong Un.

Washington’s plans for a series of ‘‘bloody nose’’ strikes on targets in North Korea could focus on countering digital threats rather than on conventional warfare.

It is thought North Korea may have an army of 6000 hackers, hand-picked by Pyongyang’s cyberwarfare agency, Bureau 121, to plunder international banks, conduct military espionage and attack critical infrastructure.

FireEye describes APT37 as an ‘‘additional tool’’ in Pyongyang’s armoury that is ‘‘expanding in scope and sophistication’’.

Until 2017, the North Korean regime concentrated on South Korea. However, last year it expanded its operations to include Japan, Vietnam and the Middle East.

‘‘North Korea is not alone in having developed these capabilities, but the country’s disregard for international norms in cyber operations should be cause for concern,’’ Benjamin Read, of FireEye, said.

The regime has already been blamed for some of the world’s most audacious cyber crimes, including last May’s WannaCry ransomware attack, which affected 230,000 computers in 150 countries.

Financial experts believe North Korea is honing in on bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to bolster its flagging economy.

However, recent reports suggest that Western powers may attempt to turn the tables by launching their own online assaults to cripple Pyongyang, a favoured move, as it would cause huge disruption but avoid loss of life.

South Korea and the US are to resume their joint military exercises after the Winter Olympics, a decision that could infuriate North Korea and jeopardise the thaw that has accompanied its participation in the Games.

South Korean media reported yesterday that the US was preparing to dispatch drones capable of attacking North Korean leaders or missile sites.

South Korea’s defence ministry said the two armies would hold the drill, codenamed Key Resolve, in which commanders would simulate the movements of troops from their headquarters, and another ‘‘command post’’ exercise usually carried out in August.

They have not yet confirmed whether they will go ahead with Foal Eagle, a training exercise involving tens of thousands of South Korean and US troops that the North regards as a preparation for invasion.

This leaves open the possibility that President Moon Jae In of South Korea will try to persuade US President Donald Trump to compromise in the interests of building on the goodwill established during the Winter Olympics.

General Vincent Brooks, commander of the 28,500 American troops stationed in South Korea, told the US house armed services committee last week that both exercises were essential to ‘‘deter North Korean aggression’’.

Song Young Moo, South Korea’s defence minister, declined to confirm Foal Eagle.

‘‘The exercise was postponed according to the spirit of the Olympics. We have agreed to uphold the principle until after the Paralympics ... and not to confirm nor deny anything regarding what we would do after that until we announce it.’’