(2nd LD) N. Korea attempted to steal COVID-19 vaccine, treatment technology: NIS
(ATTN: ADDS more lawmakers' comments in paras 3, 8)
SEOUL, Feb. 16 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has attempted to hack into South Korean drug manufacturers' computer systems to obtain information related to coronavirus vaccines and treatment, the state intelligence agency told lawmakers Tuesday.
At a closed-door parliamentary session, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported the average daily number of cyberattacks in South Korea has increased 32 percent year-on-year to about 1.58 million cases, most of which were unsuccessful, Rep. Ha Tae-keung of the main opposition People Power Party told reporters after the session.
Ha claimed that Pfizer is believed to have been attacked by the North, citing documents provided by the NIS and other sources that he declined to specify.
The NIS also said that North Korea has enhanced its crackdown on anti-socialist acts, upping the punishment for distributing video materials from South Korea to the death penalty, according to lawmakers.
Anyone caught watching South Korean videos is punishable by a jail term of up to 15 years, the NIS said.
"To put it simply, it's punishment for the 'Korean Wave,'" Ha said.
On the public absence of leader Kim Jong-un's wife, Ri Sol-ju, the NIS said that no unusual signs or intelligence have been collected.
The lawmakers also quoted the NIS as saying that North Korea has changed leader Kim's official title in English to "president" from "chairman."

National Intelligence Service Director Park Jie-won speaks during a session of the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee on Feb. 16, 2021. (Yonhap)
(END)
-
(URGENT) S. Korea's science minister confirms space rocket Nuri's launch success
-
Three indicted in massive stock manipulation case
-
(3rd LD) Passenger opens door of Asiana Airlines plane before landing at Daegu airport
-
BTS' J-Hope completes basic training for military service
-
(6th LD) S. Korea successfully launches space rocket Nuri in major milestone for space program
-
N. Korea's aircraft maintenance activity at 'unusual' level: 38 North
-
(LEAD) Asiana Airlines plane's door opens right before landing at Daegu Airport
-
(2nd LD) S. Korean experts begin on-site inspection of Fukushima nuclear plant
-
(3rd LD) S. Korea delays launch of space rocket Nuri over technical glitch
-
Key political figures gather at memorial service of late President Roh
-
U.S. military stages 'Elephant Walk' training with F-16 fighters
-
(LEAD) Japanese warship arrives in S. Korea for multinational WMD-interception naval drill
-
N. Korea notifies Japan of plan to launch satellite between May 31-June 11: Kyodo
-
S. Korea slams N. Korea's planned satellite launch, warns of consequences
-
(LEAD) N. Korea notifies Japan of plan to launch satellite between May 31-June 11: Kyodo