KAIST Satellite Research Center Under Investigation for Alleged Leak of NIS Research Data

Evidence of Decrypting Security Documents and Mass Downloading of Research Materials

Choi Min-hee: "Urgent Need for Full Review of Security Research and Measures to Prevent Recurrence"

Overview of KAIST Satellite Research Center [Provided by KAIST. Reproduction and database prohibited]

It has been confirmed that a researcher at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) Satellite Research Center is under investigation by prosecutors for attempting to leak security data during the execution of a National Intelligence Service (NIS) research and development (R&D) project.

According to data received by Choi Min-hee, Chairperson of the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee and a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, from KAIST on the 29th, the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office has been investigating Researcher A from the Satellite Research Center since February for alleged leakage of research materials.

The data indicates that an internal report was received in December of last year suggesting that Researcher A, who has been participating in NIS-ordered R&D projects since 2022, attempted to leak research materials.

In response, the Satellite Research Center reported the security incident to the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) and the NIS in January of this year and conducted a joint investigation with KASA.

As a result, it was found that Researcher A arbitrarily decrypted security documents, downloaded a large amount of research materials to a personal PC, attempted to connect the personal PC to an external internet network, and formatted the PC.

Consequently, the Satellite Research Center submitted a request for investigation to the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office, which initiated the investigation on February 27th after receiving testimony from two witnesses.

In March, a search and seizure was conducted on the Satellite Research Center and other locations.

Researcher A has been suspended from duties and reportedly explained that they took the materials to work outside the research center.

Han Jae-heung, Director of the Satellite Research Center, stated in a phone call with Yonhap News, "We discovered the act, reported it, requested an investigation, and suspended their duties," adding, "We do not know the personal motives and are cooperating with the investigative authorities while waiting."

He further commented, "As far as we know, nothing has been transferred to a third party so far, but we have requested an investigation into all such possibilities."

Amidst a steady increase in information security threats such as recent data leaks, criticism has arisen that loopholes have widened in the overall research security system, with security issues now occurring even in critical national security research projects commissioned by the NIS.

Rep. Choi Min-hee stated, "Given that an attempt to leak data occurred in critical security research such as NIS projects, the reasons and the leakage route must be thoroughly investigated," adding, "It must also be thoroughly clarified whether other interests or intentions were involved beyond individual misconduct."

She further urged, "The government and research institutions must use this incident as an opportunity to conduct a full review of their research security management system and establish measures to prevent recurrence." Yonhap News