'Who Is Responsible for Space Security?' Space Aviation Agency Hacking 'Warning Light'

Jeju National Satellite Operation Center Hacked
Experts Say, "Space Hacking Will Increase"
Need for Space Aviation Agency Security Enhancement and Expert Deployment

The National Satellite Operation Center, which operates national low Earth orbit satellites including Arirang 3, was confirmed belatedly to have been subjected to a hacking attack, raising a 'red flag' for the security of the newly established Korea Aerospace Agency. To respond to the anticipated illegal activities of various countries collecting space-related information in the future, there is growing support for strengthening security and deploying specialized personnel not only at the temporary office of the Aerospace Agency but also at the construction of its main headquarters.

According to the government on the 26th, the National Satellite Operation Center located in Jeju Island was hacked, and related measures have been taken. The hacking was detected by the security monitoring system of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI). Although the hacking entity is presumed to be North Korea, the exact details have not been disclosed. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) only stated, "We understand that related measures have been taken." The Ministry of Science and ICT has refrained from detailed comments on the matter. A spokesperson from the Ministry said, "There is nothing special to mention regarding this case." Industry insiders are concerned about the possibility that video information or location data captured by the satellite may have been leaked due to the hacking.

This center was established in Jeju in 2022 through cooperation between the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Intelligence Service (NIS). It is scheduled to operate 70 low Earth orbit satellites, including multipurpose practical satellites, next-generation medium satellites, and small satellites, by 2030. The center is planned to be incorporated into the newly established Korea Aerospace Agency. In effect, this is equivalent to the Aerospace Agency being hacked.

Currently, the Korea Aerospace Research Institute operates the center, but security and information management are mainly handled by the National Intelligence Service. The fact that hacking was attempted and problems occurred despite NIS involvement shows that the space-related sector can increasingly become a target of hacking attacks. Given that North Korea has recently been actively launching artificial satellites, the possibility of them trying to extract our information is also high.

Especially after the United Nations (UN) reached an international agreement last year to suspend anti-satellite missile tests (ASAT), the possibility of hacking aimed at reconnaissance of enemy satellites has increased. As satellite communications are also being promoted, hacking and wiretapping related to this are expected to rise as well.

Accordingly, a significant strengthening of security seems inevitable in the remodeling work of the Aerospace Agency’s temporary office. The remodeling of the Aerospace Agency’s temporary office in Sacheon is being carried out through a private contract to meet the opening day on May 27. The Korea Aerospace Agency Establishment Promotion Team plans to conduct thorough verification and preparation for security in consultation with the National Intelligence Service, but there are opinions that a more meticulous approach is necessary.

The fact that there are no security-related experts in the Aerospace Agency is also a concern. The Ministry of Science and ICT’s plan to hire fixed-term public officials for the Aerospace Agency does not include security personnel. However, since the Aerospace Agency plans to conduct regular recruitment even after its opening, experts suggest that security specialists should be assigned.

Ryu Jae-cheol, head of the Space Cybersecurity Forum, emphasized, "As the importance of space-related security is increasing compared to the past, related personnel should be deployed, and physical and cyber security should be meticulously prepared." He also stated that the main body responsible for space-related security must be clear. There should be institutions such as the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Intelligence Service that take definite responsibility for space security.

Lee Jae-hyung, head of the Korea Aerospace Agency Establishment Promotion Team at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "We will thoroughly prepare for the security of the Aerospace Agency’s temporary office."