(Seoul) South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said Wednesday that North Korea is likely to engage in provocations ahead of South Korea’s general elections in April, such as cyberattacks and drone intrusions.
“The North Korean regime is the only irrational entity in the world that has legislated the preemptive use of nuclear weapons,” Mr. Yoon said during an annual meeting of a defense council attended by representatives including police and intelligence agencies.
“This year, we expect multiple provocations (for purposes of) intervention in the elections such as provocations at the border, drone intrusions, fake news” or even cyberattacks, said the head of state. South Korean.
“Cyberattacks can paralyze national (services) and people’s daily lives in an instant. And society can fall into great confusion because of fake news,” he added.
According to Seoul, Tokyo and Washington, Pyongyang supports its weapons programs which are partly prohibited, in particular by cybercrime.
In recent weeks, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has designated the South as his country’s “main enemy”, disbanded government agencies dedicated to reunification and contacts with the South, and threatened to declare war. if his neighbor encroached on his territory “even if only by 0.001 mm”.
The leader of Pyongyang is also increasing weapons tests, such as a cruise missile launch carried out on Tuesday. Weapons which, according to experts, could be intended for Russia for use in Ukraine.
In the decisive general elections to be held on April 10, President Yoon – who took office in 2022 promising firmness against Pyongyang – and his party will try to win a majority in Parliament, dominated by the opposition.
In a statement released in December, Seoul’s intelligence agency said it expected Pyongyang to engage in military and cyber provocations in 2024 to target election campaigns in South Korea and the United States. -United, where a presidential election is to be held at the end of the year.
According to the same source, the North Korean number one asked his collaborators at the end of 2023 to “develop measures to cause great excitement in South Korea” at the beginning of 2024.