North Korean hackers tried to steal Pfizer vaccine data: South Korean lawmaker
- The news comes after attempts last year by suspected North Korean hackers to break into the systems of health care firms such as Novavax Inc and AstraZeneca
- North Korea is often accused of turning to an army of hackers to fill its cash-strapped coffers amid international sanctions
Ha Tae-keung, an opposition member of the parliamentary intelligence panel, said the pharmaceutical giant was among those hacked in the bid to steal information on vaccines and treatments.
“There were attempts to steal Covid vaccine and treatment technology during cyberattacks and Pfizer was hacked,” he said.
Coronavirus: Japan plans to approve Pfizer vaccine ahead of schedule
Speaking to reporters after a briefing by the agency, Ha did not elaborate on the timing or success of the attempt, a transcript of his remarks reviewed by Reuters showed.
Ha’s office confirmed his comments but gave no details.
Pfizer’s offices in Asia and South Korea did not have an immediate comment.
Tuesday’s news comes after attempts last year by suspected North Korean hackers to break into the systems of at least nine health care firms, such as Johnson & Johnson, Novavax Inc, and AstraZeneca.
09:50
SCMP Explains: What's the difference between the major Covid-19 vaccines?
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has said it had foiled attempts by its neighbour to hack into South Korean firms developing coronavirus vaccines.
North Korea is often accused of turning to an army of hackers to fill its cash-strapped coffers amid international sanctions that ban most international trade with it.
Health experts have said the North’s hackers may be more interested in selling the stolen data than using it to develop a home-grown vaccine.
WHO approves AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for emergency use
North Korea is expected to receive nearly 2 million doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19 vaccine by the first half of this year through the Covax Facility vaccine-sharing programme.
It has not confirmed any infections, but the NIS had said an outbreak could not be ruled out as the North had trade and people-to-people exchanges with China before closing the border in early 2020.
Leader Kim Jong-un’s wife, Ri Sol-ju, not seen in public for more than a year, is keeping a low profile to avoid infection risks, Ha said, citing the South’s intelligence.