South Korea experiences third wave of cyber-attacks; Obama: US trying to keep door open for DPRK’s return to Six-Party Talks; Nuclear negotiators of South Korea and Japan discuss implementation of UNSC resolutions
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print

    • South Korea experienced a third wave of suspected coordinated cyber-attacks. The targets under attack included the country's biggest banks, a leading national newspaper and the South Korean spy agency. Reports suggested that the latest attacks, and those that preceded it – when even US defence sites were targeted, were the handiwork of individuals and agencies inside North Korea1.

    US President Obama stated that his administration was trying to "keep a door open" for the DPRK's return to the Six-Party talks. In an interview with the Associated Press, Obama insisted that the DPRK must first give up its nuclear weapon programs2. The US State Department meanwhile imposed sanctions against two companies allegedly involved in nuclear weapon and missiles-making activities3.

    Chief nuclear negotiators of South Korea and Japan had "in-depth" discussions on joint actions towards the DPRK. The discussions included the status regarding implementing the UN Security Council resolutions, which urged UN member nations to impose tough financial sanctions as well as an arms embargo on the DPRK4.

    South Korea meanwhile in early July sent humanitarian aid to the North, in the first such instance after the aid was halted following the launch of a long-range rocket by Pyongyang in early April5.

    The DPRK’s Rodong Sinmun asserted that the country’s nuclear weapons were "neither threatening other countries, nor [to] be used for preemptive attacks." A commentary in the newspaper stated that the DPRK's nuclear deterrent was “self-defensive” in nature and its aim and mission was “to champion peace.” The article went on to accuse the US of using the nuclear programs as a pretext to isolate and choke the country6.

    Top