US intelligence agencies tried to attack the computers of the DPRK nuclear forces

Five years ago, the United States attempted to conduct a computer attack on DPRK nuclear weapons programs with the help of the Stuxnet spyware virus, but this attempt failed. This was reported by Reuters, citing sources familiar with the operation.

It became known earlier that the American and Israeli military, according to media reports, successfully used Stuxnet against Iran’s nuclear facilities in 2009-2010, slowing down its program. At the same time, the developers created a version that was supposed to be activated when it hit the computers with settings in Korean.

But, according to one Reuters source, the US intelligence services did not manage to get to the DPRK key machines, with which the authorities of the republic control their nuclear weapons.

There were several reasons for the failure. According to Reuters interlocutors, the US National Security Agency, which conducted this operation, failed to overcome the defense of the Korean program, and the DPRK network itself is one of the most isolated in the world.

Access to the Internet is only at the top of the country, while access is provided through China. This information is indirectly confirmed by the fact that Iran, where the attack was successful, is very actively interacting with foreign companies using the World Wide Web. The NSA itself refused official comment.

Earlier, the Wall Street Journal reported that Chinese experts at a closed briefing warned the United States that the DPRK has a more significant nuclear arsenal than previously believed in Washington.

"North Korea may already have 20 warheads and the capacity to produce enough enriched uranium to allow it to double its nuclear arsenal by next year, according to the latest Chinese estimates presented at a closed meeting with US nuclear experts." - the article says.