INSSECA084EB9EB5EBB3B4EAB3A028127ED98B829_EAB980ECA095EC9D80_EC8B9_AwnGH1t.pdf (592 KB)

The INSS paper assesses that North Korea's cyber capabilities strengthened under Kim Jong Un and became an important asymmetric instrument for the regime. It argues that Pyongyang uses cyber operations for economic and political gains, including sanctions evasion, foreign-currency generation, and funding for nuclear and missile programs. The paper also notes broader targeting of foreign governments, militaries, defense contractors, and energy research institutes for military and diplomatic secrets, and recommends proactive monitoring and prevention as realistic defenses for South Korea.