Chinese-Linked Hackers Attack U.S. Missile Defense System in South Korea

A cybersecurity company in the U.S. claims that hackers "linked to the Chinese government" attempted to infiltrate an organization associated with the U.S. missile system in South Korea. John Hultquist, a director at FireEye, told CNN that the company has "evidence" showing that Chinese hackers targeted "at least one section related to the missile system." In this context, a spokesperson for South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated that a cyber attack from "China" occurred last month. This official told CNN that "appropriate defensive measures" prevented the attack from being successful. However, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied any involvement in the incident, stating that Beijing is "firmly" opposed to all forms of cyber attacks. Nonetheless, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its opposition to the activation of the THAAD missile defense system in South Korea and urged South Korea and the U.S. to halt the implementation of this project. Meanwhile, neither South Korea nor the U.S. has officially stated that the system targeted by the hackers was the THAAD missile defense system. South Korea and the U.S. agreed this week to expedite the activation of the THAAD system in response to repeated threats from North Korea. The U.S. military began transferring components of this missile defense system to its planned deployment site in South Korea just a day earlier. The U.S.-made THAAD missile defense system can intercept and destroy incoming missiles in the sky. Although the U.S. and South Korea emphasize that this system is intended to counter threats from North Korea, China is concerned that the powerful radars of the THAAD system could monitor areas within China and "disrupt the military balance in the region."