Cyber Terror

[Anchor Lead]

The computer networks of South Korean broadcasting stations KBS, MBC and YTN were simultaneously paralyzed by a cyber attack yesterday. Restoration attempts were made through the night, but the internal networks remain inactive for a second day.

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Yesterday afternoon all personal computers inside KBS suddenly stopped working. A malicious code had penetrated the servers after the communications network was hackers and caused KBS employees’ computers to stop functioning. In KBS alone, roughly five thousand office computers and parts of the server were affected.

[Soundbite] Mun Jeong Cheol(Head, KBS IT Infrastructure Office) : "Malicious code did penetrate the system, but we’re still looking into how it entered."

At around the same time MBC and YTN also saw their computer networks and PCs freeze up. Restoration attempts were made throughout the night. But with all office computers out of operation for the second day, news scripts are being written by hand and production teams are having trouble keeping up.

[Soundbite] Kim Nam-yong(KBS IT Infrastructure Office) : "We identified the scope of the damage and updated the vaccine. We’re restoring the servers and network in stages."

MBC restored its internet homepage yesterday afternoon and YTN is speeding up its restoration. Nonetheless, radio and television programs are being broadcast without a hitch. In KBS the broadcasting network functions separately from the office networks, completely blocking any access from the outside. It was therefore unaffected by yesterday’s cyber attack. The three targeted broadcasting stations are inspecting the damage and went into emergency have gone to brace against a possible second or third attack.

2. Analyzing the Attack

[Anchor Lead]

While analyzing KBS computers hacked yesterday, experts found a phrase warning that similar cyber attacks would follow. They believe that the attacks were organized by a group of hackers.

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The hard disc of a hacked computer was investigated. The booting software was deleted and just lines of numbers appear. The 16-digit code was deciphered the word “Hastati” was extracted.

[Soundbite] Computer Security Expert : "I searched the word HASTATI and found that it means the Roman army who went first in the line of battle. (This is the word someone intentionally insertedinto the malicious code.)"

The Latin word suggests that there will be a second and a third cyber attack that would target key South Korean institutions. Experts share the view that Wednesday’s cyber attack was carried out by a group of hackers, not just by an individual, given the capability to simultaneously paralyze act a the computers at some of South Korea’s broadcasters and banks.

[Soundbite] Lee Jong-won(Computer Security Firm) : "It is like bombing stores scattered in different places. Therefore, it wasn’t done by a single person."

It must be an organized crime, not a simple scheme by hackers who wanted to steal private information and money, or show off their hacking skills.

[Soundbite] Computer Security Expert(Voice Modified) : "It was aimed at causing social panic and disturbing the operations of society. It’s totally different from mere theft."

Experts say that it will take three or four months to identify the hackers and how they made inroads into the computers at South Korean institutions.

3. Malicious Code

[Anchor Lead]

Let’s take a look now at how the hacking attack took place.

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Hacking by a malicious code largely takes place in five stages. A hacker creates the code and then spreads it to institutions such as KBS through the internet or by e-mail. Penetration by even a single code can open the door to the entire system. Central servers and personal laptops and computers automatically get infected as well. It is suspected that this code must have erased the data and disabled the computer system by ordering a self-destruct sequence at around 2:00 p.m. on March 20, 2013. Experts say the malicious code was mostly likely to have spread through the internet.

[Soundbite] Gwon Seok-cheol(CEO, Computer Security Firm) : "A malicious program was created to automatically spread to a targeted institution by changing the URL at the network managing computer."

How the auto-destruct sequence was activated needs to be carefully analyzed as well. There are two ways it begins: by embedding the destruction timing in the code ahead of time or by having a hacker directly control it from the outside.

[Soundbite] Park Chi-min(CEO, Computer Security Firm) : "If we find out whether the sequence was remotely controlled or designed separately, we can compare this with known hackers and figure out the suspects."

Analyzing the code appears to be the quickest way to shorten the list of possible hackers.

4. Military On Alert

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North Korea is strongly suspected of being behind the cyber attack. The military is now working to confirm the source. Authorities have also raised the tactical intelligence alert.

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The Ministry of Defense says the military’s computer system is intact so far. The military command network and the external Internet system are all functioning properly. But the Defense Ministry has unprecedentedly raised the tactical intelligence alert called Information Operation Conditions at 3:10 p.m. Wednesday from Level 4 to Level 3. Level 3 is issued when there are signs that the enemy is going to attack the computer system. The Defense Ministry says that the possibility of North Korea’s involvement cannot be ruled out. However, it’s tackling the situation with prudence as it’s hard to draw a conclusion at this point. The military assumes that Wednesday’s cyber attack is similar to the attack that Israel launched on Iran’s computer system in a nuclear facility in 2008. It’s the so-called “backdoor method,” whereby a malicious virus is inserted through a hidden method by passing normal computer authentication systems. The authorities are investigating whether the Defense Ministry’s computer system, including its cyber division, has also been intruded from the outside. Meanwhile, no unusual signs have been spotted on the North Korean side of the inter-Korean border.

5. Banks Hacked

[Anchor Lead]

Financial institutions such as Shinhan Bank and Nonghyup also suffered damage from the cyber attack. Fortunately, their computer networks were restored in a couple of hours, but customers were affected because of the disruptions.

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This Shinhan Bank branch office closed down, leaving its customers in confusion.

[Soundbite] "I can’t even pay my bills? (There is a problem with our system.)"

[Soundbite] "Can I do this at a convenience store? (You’ll have trouble with deposits and withdrawals.)"

Work at all Shinhan Bank branches was suspended around 2:14 yesterday afternoon. ATMs blacked out and internet banking stopped functioning. A minute later the same occurred at Nonghyup bank, the Agricultural Co-op. All transactions, except for internet banking, were severed. The computer system at Jeju Bank, which uses the Shinhan Bank servers, shut down and the debit cards of Shinhan-affiliated card companies, such as Samsung, Hyundai, and Lotte Cards, failed to work.

[Soundbite] Lee Hye-na(Customer) : "I can’t make deposits or withdrawals, or transfer money."

Shinhan Bank’s main servers and the linked servers which connect branch offices went down. Nonghyup’s main servers were found to be intact, with glitches reported only in its branch computers. That was the main difference compare to the damage done to broadcasting stations. The financial institutions were able to restore their computer networks at around four in the afternoon, about two hours after the attack. Customer information and financial data inside the main servers are likely to have remained untouched. The banks announced that normal transactions would resume tomorrow.

6. Broken Promises

[Anchor Lead]

Ruling and opposition parties announced on March 17th that they made concessions and reached a consensus through dialogue. They also promised to approve the government restructuring bill. But they have failed to keep the promise.

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The floor leaders of ruling and opposition parties agreed to approve the government reorganization bill on March 17th. The agreement was reached 47 days after the bill was presented to the National Assembly.

[Soundbite] Kim Gi-hyeon(Saenuri Party/Mar. 17) : "We’ll approve it at a parliamentary plenary session on Wednesday, March 20th."

However, the agreement to approve the government restructuring bill was scrapped in just three days, and the rival parties are once again blaming each other. The main opposition Democratic United Party is even threatening to throw out the entire agreement. Observers and politicians say that the agreement itself was faulty and that it is the cause of the current discord. Some say that agreements between the leaders of the rival parties are meaningless if they are broken so easily. The parties are blaming each other for the failure to follow through with their agreements. But observers are criticizing the parties for not showing political leadership.

[Soundbite] Lee Cheol-hui(Head, Dumun Political Strategy Institute) : "This regrettable situation is due to a lack of political leadership in both the ruling and opposition parties. They’ve failed to exercise their leadership."

With the delayed approval of the government reorganization bill, a Cabinet meeting was canceled and the appointment of some ministers was postponed.

7. Infant Deaths

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In Korea, parents usually sleep with their babies next to them, but this practice can be dangerous.

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This baby who is just 50 days old sleeps with its mother. She has to feed her every three hours and change her diapers, which it makes it difficult to get her to sleep.

[Soundbite] "If the baby is crying in the crib, I have to go to her, but having her sleep with me, I can take care of everything."

However, developing a habit of sleeping with your baby can threaten its life. Babies that suddenly die occurred in 59 percent of cases where the parents slept with them. This is especially true when parents come home intoxicated or on medication, fall into a deep sleep, and roll around.

[Soundbite] Prof. Yu Seong-ho(Seoul Nat’l Univ.) : "15% of sudden infant deaths usually occur when the parents are intoxicated and fall asleep."

The posture of a baby while it’s asleep is another issue. 45% of deaths occur when the baby is lying facedown or on its side. It is thus better to use a separate bed for the baby altogether. It’s not recommended using an overly soft crib and important to keep the baby away from a parent’s arm while sleeping.

8. Employing Ex-Cons

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Statistics show that one out of every five ex-prisoners convicted of violent crimes reoffend after they’re released from prison. But this can be prevented by helping ex-convicts find jobs and make a fresh start.

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A press producing components works busily. This man made a new start in life at this factory last year after serving a long sentence.

[Soundbite] Employed Ex-convict(Voice Modified) : "I think of this as my permanent steady job rather than working in several different places. It’s more stable."

This company has hired five ex-prisoners. They made a successful fresh start with the help of the Korea Rehabilitation Agency.

[Soundbite] Baek Hui-jong(Employer) : "They feel rewarded when they are encouraged and can engage with others."

Ex-convicts who have found employment after being released from prison are less likely to commit crimes again. But the government support provided to ex-convicts still insufficient. Some 140,000 people are released from prison each year, but only 3.9 percent of them receive help in finding jobs.

[Soundbite] Employed Ex-prisoner(Voice Modified) : "After serving time, we have nowhere to go. Even when we say that we’ll give it our very best, we still can’t get a job."

Experts say that rather than only strengthening punishment to minimize violent crimes, the government should help ex-convicts return to society.

9. Boosting Immunity

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Even though you made it through the winter without getting sick once, many people often catch a cold as the winter becomes spring. Today we've got some simple ways to boost your immune system to make it through the changing of the seasons.

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Spring has arrived in this forest as well. Young leaves are beginning to bud on tree branches and spring blossoms are already in bloom. But at this time of the year, it's easy to catch colds because of the wide daily temperature range. One of the most simple things you can do everyday to enhance your body's immune system is to go for a walk in the sun. Getting some sun helps your body produce vitamin D, which strengthens your immune system. Getting some fresh air and strolling in nature relieves stress, which is also good for your physical condition.

[Soundbite] "I came to take part in the forest healing program."

A program run here claiming to strengthen immunity is called windbathing has become quite popular. Windbathing is simply feeling the fresh air against your skin. They say it’s good for your skin too.

[Soundbite] "I feel so refreshed and I can feel something being sucked into my skin."

[Soundbite] Choe Yong Du-seong(Forest Healing Instructor) : "If you stay out in the wind your body contracts and it makes it difficult for your skin to breathe. So you have to get warmed up to open and then contract the body again so your skin can breathe as well."

Of course, you can windbath pretty much anywhere. They say you should cover and uncover your body with a blanket after you open a window. Some believe the change in body temperature strengthens your immune system. Here's an exercise that takes only five minutes and toughens you up.

[Soundbite] Lee Hyeon-a(Trainer) : "I do isometric exercise for five minutes when I wake up in the morning."

Isometric exercise trains and tones your muscles without any exaggerated movements. First, lie down and stretch out your arms and legs, feeling the strain in your wrists and ankles. This second exercise helps strengthen your lower back and spine. The workout helps relax and loosen muscles that can get knotted during sleep. Do each movement three times for about 30 seconds each.

[Soundbite] "If you do the exercise I showed you everyday, it will help your circulation and metabolism and strengthen your immunity."

Like the Korean saying "food is the best medicine," you can also stay healthy by eating fresh seasonal food.

[Soundbite] Sin Dong-jin(Traditional Medicine Doctor) : "When your immunity becomes weak between seasons, you're most likely to catch a cold. Bonnet bellflower roots and Chinese bellflower roots are very effective in relieving coughing and phlegm."

Bellflower roots, called deodeok and doraji in Korean, are rich in fiber, which helps digestion. They’re also good for preventing colds between seasons. Deodeok, which are in season through early spring, contain saponin, which is thought to soothe inflammation in the bronchial tubes. The flower roots can be transformed into a tasty dish when combined with pine nuts. Doraji, like deodeok, is rich in saponin too. The roots are commonly eaten in Korea seasoned as a side dish to go with rice. By making a salad with the roots, you can enjoy their crispiness in a whole new way. Tea made by preserving asparagus and bean sprouts in sugar can be a good homemade cold remedy. Add a bit of hot water before drinking. The tea is thought to help the liver recover and discharge toxins from the body, and as a result, enhance immunity.

[Soundbite] "By using natural ingredients like these, you can enhance your liver’s detoxifying function and strengthen your immunity."

A few simple additions to your everyday schedule can help you get through the changing of the seasons without getting sick.