North Korea 'should face cyber reprisals'

2009-07-22

A US senator has advocated cyber reprisals directed at North Korea following an alleged data breach attempt directed at the US and South Korea.

Despite there being no evidence that the IT intrusion had originated in North Korea, lead Republican on the House of Intelligence Committee Congressman Peter Hoekstra urged action against the communist state.

He told the Washington Times' America's Morning News radio show that the soft touch of the US against nations such as Iran and North Korea is not working.

He said: "Whether it's a counter attack on cyber or more international sanctions, it's time for America, South Korea, Japan and other countries to stand up to North Korea.

"Next time they'll go in and shut down a banking system ... or manipulate the electrical grid either here or in South Korea."

South Korea's National Intelligence Unit has since downgraded its alert following the IT intrusion which affected a number of websites.

Read more security news.