N Korea planning terror attack on South: spy agency

South Korean politicians have been actively exploring a possibility of procuring nuclear weapons after the North tested a hydrogen bomb and launched a long-range rocket earlier this year.

South Korean legislator Lee Chul-woo said that North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau plans include cyber attacks aimed at inciting chaos in the South, reports Yon Hap News.

Targets of an attack could include “subways, shopping malls, exhibition centers, power plants”.

North Korea could be planning to carry out Isis-style “terrorists attacks” on its southern neighbour, according to the national spy agency in Seoul.

A South Korean army helicopter carries a floating bridge during a US-South Korea joint river crossing exercise in the border county of Yeoncheon, northeast of Seoul, December 10, 2015.

The official quoted the NIS as saying North Korea could launch poisoning attacks on the activists and defectors, or lure them to China where they would be kidnapped. Intelligence officials claimed that would compromise South Korea’s ability to deal with such an attack.

The foreign ministry had told lawmakers that China also shared the need to slap stronger and more effective sanctions on North Korea as Seoul has appealed for co-operation, Mr Lee said.

The Saenuri official refused to say whether the briefing discussed how the information has been obtained.

“While North Korea is intensifying its preparations for terror attacks, political interests should not be put above safety and property of the people”, said Kim.

In this February 16, 2016, photo, South Korean protesters hold banners during a rally to oppose the THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, system near the U.S. Embassy in downtown Seoul, South Korea.

Seoul will also increase the number of troops participating.

The bill must be approved “to effectively counter terrorist threats by North Korea and other global groups”, he added, “and it is frustrating to see its passage stalled”.

Defense Minister Han Min-koo said Thursday that about 15,000 USA troops will take part in the annual Key Resolve and Foal Eagle exercises when they begin next month, which is twice the number from previous year. The North cut key lines of communication with the South the same day.

On Tuesday, South Korean President Park Geun-hye vowed “powerful” measures to force North Korea to drop its nuclear ambitions, warning of a regime collapse if Kim remains defiant.