hankyoreh

It was confirmed on Nov. 16 that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) possesses 31 pieces of equipment specifically for packet eavesdropping. The NIS has also reported that 23 have been purchased since President Lee Myung-bak took office.

According to the document that was submitted by the NIS to a lawmaker on the National Assembly’s intelligence committee, the NIS began purchasing computer surveillance equipment in 1998 and purchases have increased rapidly under the new administration.

Packet eavesdropping involves the act of monitoring network traffic that includes tracking results of Internet searches, email exchanges, and chatting.

The NIS is required to obtain a court warrant to packet eavesdrop, however, many experts are expressing concerns that the NIS is able to eavesdrop on matters beyond those specified in the warrant. It has also been confirmed that the NIS is utilizing special packet eavesdropping equipment that does not leave any traces behind.

The same lawmaker said, “Lawmakers should make an effort to restrict the scope of packet eavesdropping that the NIS can engage in, since currently it is able to tap all information sent over the Internet, which goes beyond the scope of any court warrant.”

Eleven pieces of equipment were used in 110 incidences of packet eavesdropping in the last year. Thus, analysts are inducing several more instances of packet eavesdropping have occurred given the amount of equipment the NIS owns.

Chang Yeo-kyung, an activist of Jinbonet Korean Progressive Network, says, “I am extremely worried about the packet eavesdropping equipment being used, especially given that the Lee government has approved an increase in purchases.”

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