'National Satellite Operation Center Operating Arirang Satellite Appears to Have Been Subjected to Hacking Attack'

Government Remains Silent on Timing, Circumstances, and Extent of Damage

Dokdo photographed by Arirang Satellite 3A in 2019

The National Satellite Operation Center, which operates national low Earth orbit satellites such as the 'Multipurpose Practical Satellite 3 (Arirang 3),' was recently confirmed to have been subjected to a hacking attack.

According to the government on the 26th, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, and the National Intelligence Service confirmed the hacking attack on the National Satellite Operation Center and are currently assessing the situation.

The center is a facility established in Jeju in 2022 through cooperation between the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Intelligence Service, with operation managed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. It is currently responsible for controlling and receiving images from satellites capable of high-resolution Earth observation, such as Arirang 3 and 3A.

The government has not disclosed detailed information regarding the timing, circumstances, or damage caused by the hacking.

Meanwhile, the center is expected to take charge of operating national low Earth orbit satellites including multipurpose practical satellites, next-generation medium-sized satellites, and small satellites in the future. It is scheduled to be incorporated into the Space Aviation Agency this year.