Firm says nuclear power plants are operating safely and are secure from attack, and it has stepped up its cybersecurity

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

South Korea’s nuclear power operator has said cyber-attacks on non-critical operations at its headquarters are continuing but the country’s nuclear power plants are operating safely and are secure from attack.

Cho Seok, president and chief executive of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, said the firm had been stepping up its cybersecurity. He gave no details of the continued attacks or the company’s response.

“We cannot let cyber-attacks stop nuclear power operation,” Cho told a news briefing. He said a closed network used for reactor operations was inaccessible from external communication lines and impervious to cyber-attacks. “We will continue operating nuclear plants safely against any attempted foul play.”

KHNP, part of state-run utility Korea Electric Power, said last Monday that its computer systems had been hacked but only non-critical data had been stolen, and reactor operations were not at risk. Cho apologised for concerns that had been raised by the cyber-attack and data leaks.

South Korea has 23 nuclear reactors which supply one-third of its electricity. Three are currently offline for routine maintenance or awaiting a licence extension.

Since last Wednesday the operator and the government have had emergency teams on standby as a precaution, after a hacker demanded the shutdown of three reactors by last Thursday and in Twitter messages threatened “destruction” if the demand was not met.