South Korea

국정자원 화재 교훈 잊었나...민관 '오프라인 백업' 포기

ET News | Local Language | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Critical Infrastructure Failure

The National Information Resources Service (NIRS) has discontinued the use of offline backups—physical isolation of data—in the Daegu Center's private-partnership cloud (PPP) zone. This decision removes the last line of defense against ransomware and large-scale network outages, despite a recent fire at NIRS's Daejeon headquarters that caused significant operational paralysis. Instead of physical, offline data dispersion using fireproof safes at the Gongju backup center, the three tenant cloud service providers (Samsung SDS, KT Cloud, and NHN Cloud) shifted to an online backup method via the "G-Cloud dispersion network" connecting the Daegu and Gongju centers.

Previously, NIRS stored data on physical media like tapes, kept disconnected from any network to protect against simultaneous compromise of original and backup data by disasters or cyberattacks. The new online backup approach, with continuous network connectivity, raises concerns about vulnerability to combined physical and cyber threats. This practice conflicts with the Electronic Government Act and National Information Security Basic Guidelines, which require remote data dispersion including physical isolation for systems rated "high" in importance. While remote dispersion is technically maintained via online transmission, abandoning the air gap undermines the intended security standards.

Additionally, the globally accepted "3-2-1 rule" for data protection—three copies on two media types with one offline backup—has been disregarded. Cost and administrative convenience are cited as primary reasons for abandoning offline dispersion; cloud service providers resisted the manual handling of physical tapes required by regulations, and government authorities deferred to CSPs' autonomy within the PPP zone contracts. NIRS officials noted they lack authority to impose offline backup mandates in privately operated PPP zones.

Security experts criticize this approach, noting major global cloud providers like Amazon AWS maintain isolated backup services despite additional costs. They emphasize that sacrificing critical security measures for convenience is unacceptable for nationally important data and call for urgent development of alternative protections such as logical air gaps.

Chosun Ilbo | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Extreme Weather Events

On January 22, the cold wave in South Korea is expected to peak, marking the coldest day of the winter so far, with Seoul experiencing a morning temperature of minus 13 degrees Celsius and a perceived temperature of minus 19 degrees Celsius. The Korea Meteorological Administration attributes this to a cut-off low-pressure system—a mass of Arctic cold air at minus 35 degrees Celsius—moving southward. Morning temperatures are forecasted between minus 19 and minus 5 degrees Celsius, with daytime highs ranging from minus 7 to 2 degrees Celsius. Strong winds will cause perceived temperatures to be 5 to 10 degrees lower than actual measurements.

Since January, cold waves with temperatures below minus 10 degrees Celsius have become more frequent in Seoul. On the 21st, the city's lowest temperature reached minus 12.2 degrees Celsius, with a perceived temperature of minus 17.9 degrees Celsius. Seoul has had five days this month with temperatures below minus 10 degrees Celsius, and the forecast predicts at least four more such days by the end of January, totaling nine days—roughly one cold wave every three days. Nationwide impacts include frozen seawater observed at Dadaepo Beach in Busan.

Despite global warming leading to milder winters over the past five years, this January has seen an intensification of cold waves due to frequent cut-off low-pressure systems. The weakening jet stream, influenced by global warming, allows Arctic cold air to escape more often. Unlike typical winters dominated by Siberian high-pressure systems at around minus 15 degrees Celsius, this winter has seen more frequent exposure to colder air masses near minus 35 degrees Celsius. Additionally, an unusual persistent high-pressure system east of Korea since January 20 has sustained cold northwesterly winds, prolonging the cold wave. This high-pressure "wall" is expected to maintain the cold conditions for about six days until the weekend.

Hankyoreh - E | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | North Korea

President Lee Jae Myung condemned the recent incident of a civilian manufacturing and sending a drone into North Korea, calling it "akin to starting a war." During a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House, he emphasized that such actions are unacceptable and likened them to firing a gun towards the North. The individual involved had sent drones on three occasions, prompting Lee to criticize the Ministry of National Defense for inadequate surveillance measures and to demand improved facilities and equipment to prevent hostility and mistrust between the two Koreas. He ordered a thorough investigation into the incident, stating concerns that state agencies might be implicated.

Lee’s comments also aimed to maintain ongoing military efforts to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula, such as the suspension of loudspeaker and radio broadcasts toward North Korea, signaling his intention to hold those responsible accountable without undermining diplomatic measures.

On energy policy, Lee called for rational, ideology-free discussions regarding the construction of new nuclear power plants and small modular reactors. He acknowledged strong public support for nuclear power as essential to addressing electricity needs and urged efforts to minimize political polarization on the issue. These remarks follow previous government officials’ statements emphasizing the inevitability of expanding nuclear power facilities.

Additionally, Lee addressed the importance of media neutrality concerning court decisions, urging adherence to fairness and the public interest, especially in politically sensitive cases where public broadcasts might criticize prosecutors regardless of verdicts.