DPRK (North Korea) is jamming South Korean GPS signals, continuing their pattern of belligerence as of late.
This is really nothing new, as DPRK has a pattern of doing this for some time, possibly aided by Iran in how they took those Navy boats off course a few months back. (Remember how that happened…how they got off course?)
The pattern has been a significant problem in South Korea for some time now, seen here, and here, leading the South Koreans to build a new, independent GPS network,
seen below. The issue now is that DPRK has seemed to hack that too.
This is a serious problem, and very significant considering their continued pattern of belligerence and general disregard concerning foreign policy measures to stop them.
Reminding everyone that they launched a satellite not that long ago and being disregarded as a failure by many, it is likely that this is not the case. While it cannot be gathered exactly to what ends the satellite serves for sure, at this point it cannot be ruled out that is is something nefarious.
I’m certain we’ll find out the hard way, as per the usual.
Spoofing
Spoofing, simply put, is a type of man in the middle attack that sends a stronger local signal to GPS receivers than what they get from the triangulating satellites, with incorrect data. These attacks range from simply giving inaccurate readings to desensitizing the receiver altogether.
As you might’ve already guessed, this is a very, very serious problem, especially considering the fact that most folks lack any sort of ability to function without GPS these days.
Eastern warfare is all about exploiting seams and gaps; I’d say over reliance on high tech systems out of local control is quite a large seam and gap.
Why this matters to you
If you are under the impression that our internal political issues are our own, you’d be quite wrong; others are paying attention, waiting, in some cases stirring the pot as well, and creating an opportunity. Just think of the chaos created from not simply attacking the lights, but the whole system most rely upon. It’s a much bigger deal than most realize, and they’re working on making that hell a reality.
Good thing you’re working on those map, compass and protractor skills. Tempus fugit.