As the security environment surrounding the Korean Peninsula undergoes rapid changes, North Korea's methods of psychological warfare against South Korea are also evolving quickly. While in the past, traditional methods like loudspeaker broadcasts and leaflet distribution were prevalent, intelligent psychological warfare utilizing advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), deepfake technology, and cyberattacks is now emerging as a core threat. Indeed, there have been indications of changes in traditional North Korean psychological warfare, such as the National Intelligence Service (NIS) halting its North Korea-bound radio and TV broadcasts, which had continued for over 50 years, after July 2025. Amidst these changes, the NIS is not merely responding to North Korean provocations but is redefining its strategy to proactively counter future threats and enhance national security awareness among its citizens. As attempts to manipulate public opinion and cause social unrest through cyberspace increase, the NIS's role becomes ever more critical.
The year 2026 is widely expected to see the use of AI in cyberattacks become a new standard. Hackers backed by nation-states, particularly from North Korea and China, are anticipated to actively leverage AI for ransomware attacks and data theft against corporations and institutions. According to Google Cloud Threat Intelligence Group's (GTIG) '2026 Cybersecurity Outlook Report,' customized attacks utilizing multimodal generative AI, including voice, text, and video deepfakes, will increase, moving beyond simple text-based phishing attacks. North Korea is expanding attacks targeting cryptocurrency organizations for profit, and sophisticated social engineering techniques are expected to be employed, such as luring targets through fake job postings or deceiving personnel with deepfake videos. To counter these intelligent threats, the NIS is focusing on enhancing cyber defense and detection technologies and strengthening real-time information sharing and joint response capabilities through international cooperation.
North Korea, China, and Russia are engaging in an 'information war' against our society through the dissemination of false information, the use of generative AI, and the establishment of spy networks, weaponizing public opinion and aiming to incite social unrest. Such fake news and fabricated disinformation can have severe adverse effects on national security and national interests. In response, the NIS has taken proactive measures, including accepting reports of overseas disinformation dissemination through a dedicated hotline, '111,' starting in September 2024. This decision stems from the assessment that the proliferation of fabricated disinformation linked to foreign governments or organizations worldwide poses a significant threat to national security. Furthermore, the NIS continues its activities to counter South Korea-directed psychological warfare, such as blocking North Korean state propaganda YouTube channels. By strengthening fact-checking and information analysis systems, the NIS aims to block the circulation of false information early on and is concurrently running public awareness campaigns to ensure citizens have access to accurate information.
The Presidential National Security Office announced the 'National Cyber Security Master Plan' in September 2024, developed jointly by 14 government ministries, including the NIS. This plan includes five strategic objectives: strengthening offensive cyber defense activities, building a global cyber cooperation framework, enhancing the cyber resilience of critical national infrastructure, securing a competitive edge in new technologies, and reinforcing the operational base. In accordance with this plan, the NIS is further enhancing its cyber security capabilities through improvements in national network security, strengthening ICT supply chain security, promoting the transition to post-quantum cryptography, and establishing 'Cyber 119 (Guard),' a rapid response organization for cyber crises. Notably, in September 2025, a plan to upgrade the security guidelines for the national network security system in preparation for the era of AI, quantum, and drones was announced. Recognizing the limitations of government agencies alone, close cooperation with private companies, academia, and research institutions is crucial for establishing information sharing and joint response systems. The NIS is fostering an information protection industry ecosystem based on industry-academia-research collaboration and nurturing core technologies that form the foundation of national cyber security capabilities through expanded cyber security R&D.
Future cyber threats will evolve in increasingly unpredictable ways. Attacks utilizing AI agents and targeted attacks on 'hypervisors,' the infrastructure managing virtualization within servers, could become critical security blind spots, potentially allowing complete control over all digital assets with just a single breach. In anticipation of North Korea's cyber provocations, the NIS is strengthening its preemptive defense capabilities by regularly conducting cyberattack response drills targeting critical national infrastructure, including energy and transportation sectors. Furthermore, it is thoroughly preparing for and predicting new threats by enhancing its latest information collection and analysis capabilities. Alongside the NIS's efforts, the cultivation of individual security awareness and active participation from citizens are paramount. Actively reporting suspicious overseas disinformation or fake news (dial 111 without an area code) significantly contributes to safeguarding national security.
North Korea's psychological warfare has moved beyond simple propaganda and agitation, evolving into complex forms that threaten national security by exploiting cyberspace and advanced technologies to incite unrest within our society. In step with these changes, the NIS is seeking to transform traditional psychological warfare methods while simultaneously pursuing multifaceted strategies, including strengthening cyber security capabilities, countering disinformation, collaborating with the private sector, and proactively responding to future threats, all to safeguard national security. With the NIS's continuous evolution and efforts, coupled with the attention and cooperation of the public, we can establish robust security and build a peaceful Korean Peninsula. We must recognize the importance of information warfare unfolding unseen and work together as a nation and its people to wisely counter future security threats.
A1: After July 2025, the NIS ceased its radio and TV broadcasts to North Korea, which had continued for over 50 years. This is interpreted as part of the current administration's policy shift towards North Korea and a gesture towards easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
A2: North Korea's psychological warfare is evolving to actively utilize advanced cyber technologies such as AI, deepfakes, and social engineering to spread disinformation, incite social unrest, and pursue economic gains like cryptocurrency theft.
A3: The NIS operates a dedicated reporting hotline, '111,' to counter the dissemination of overseas disinformation and fake news. It is also strengthening information analysis and blocking activities, such as blocking North Korean propaganda YouTube channels.
A4: It is crucial to actively report suspicious overseas disinformation or fake news to the NIS hotline '111' when discovered. Furthermore, it is necessary to consistently adhere to personal information security practices and maintain a critical perspective on information of unverified origin.
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