'Deep Seek Alert' Security Departments Including Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Unification Blocked

Following Foreign Affairs and Defense, the Ministry of Unification Also Joins in Blocking Access

Central administrative agencies related to domestic security, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, and Ministry of Unification, have blocked access to the Chinese AI service ‘DeepSeek.’ This move comes amid growing concerns that various information collected by DeepSeek during its use could be leaked to China.

According to the government on the 6th, the Ministry of National Defense has blocked access to DeepSeek on internet PCs used for military tasks. Although no specific cases of damage have been confirmed yet, numerous technical concerns about DeepSeek have been raised both domestically and internationally.

At a briefing that day, the Ministry of National Defense stated, “The Ministry handles military-related tasks through an intranet network separated from the external internet, but some work PCs use the internet. Since we are aware of technical security concerns related to generative AI, we plan to proceed with follow-up measures in consultation with relevant departments.”

Regarding personal and work mobile devices carried by soldiers, in addition to work PCs, the Ministry said, “We will devise security measures,” adding, “Security guidelines containing such content have already been prepared and distributed.” However, when asked whether the DeepSeek access block would affect soldiers’ use of mobile phones, they drew a clear line, saying, “It will not.”

The Ministry of Unification also plans to take follow-up measures such as blocking access to DeepSeek on the same day. The Ministry explained, “Following requests from the National Intelligence Service and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, we have prohibited the input of sensitive information when using all generative AI.”

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “I understand that related ministries are reviewing overall security,” but refrained from commenting on specific security measures.

Earlier, on the 3rd, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Intelligence Service sent security guidelines to all central ministries and metropolitan local governments, instructing them not to input sensitive information when using generative AI services such as DeepSeek and OpenAI. Additionally, the Personal Information Protection Commission sent an inquiry letter to DeepSeek’s headquarters requesting confirmation on personal information, collection items and procedures, processing, and storage methods, but it is reported that no response has been received yet.