Lee Jong-seok, chief of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), attends a parliamentary inspection of his agency at the agency's headquarters in Seoul, South Korea. Photo by YONHAP / EPA
May 19 (Asia Today) -- South Korea is moving to expand the authority of the National Intelligence Service to investigate suspected cyberattacks targeting private companies, even before links to foreign governments or international hacking groups are conclusively proven.
The push comes as cyber threats against South Korean businesses continue to rise and concerns grow over delayed detection of data breaches that officials say could threaten national economic security.
A revision to the National Intelligence Service Act passed through the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee on May 7 would formally include "economic security" within the agency's scope of duties. The amendment would also allow the agency to respond to cyber incidents that show signs consistent with attacks by foreign states or international hacking organizations.
The measure is expected to provide legal backing for a government-wide cybersecurity strategy announced jointly last year by the Ministry of Science and ICT, the National Security Office and the intelligence agency.
