Ministry of Science and ICT: "Impact of Solar Sunspot Explosion... Prepare for Broadcast and Communication Disruptions Starting Tomorrow"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Junhyung] The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 29th that changes in the Earth's magnetic field caused by solar activity this weekend may lead to broadcasting and communication disruptions.

The possibility of broadcasting and communication disruptions arose after a level 3 alert for a solar flare accompanied by solar material was issued at 0:34 a.m. that day. The solar flare occurred at night according to Korean time, so its impact on the Korean Peninsula was minimal. However, NASA's solar monitoring satellites observed a large amount of solar material around 1 a.m., following the flare.

After a detailed analysis of this data, the Ministry of Science and ICT predicted that the solar material is moving toward Earth and will reach the Earth on the afternoon of the 30th, causing disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field. Hong Jinbae, Director of Information Security Network Policy at the Ministry, stated, "This increase in solar activity may cause damage not only to broadcasting and communication but also to satellites, aviation, navigation, and power systems," and emphasized, "Related agencies should maintain an emergency contact network system with the Ministry of Science and ICT at all times."