Seoul, December 01: South Korea is suspected of hacking US weapons systems and re-packaging the US-made arms technology for its own exports to enhance its defense industry.
South Korean Air Force has been accused of stealing Tiger Eye technology, which is a part of US-made F-15 fighter jet weapons systems, a Press TV correspondent reported on Wednesday.
American and South Korean manufacturers have recently signed a memorandum of understanding to provide Seoul with the Global Hawk spy drones which would patrol over the area between the Koreas and oversee the military moves of Pyongyang.
According to a former US presidential defense advisor, however, the Tiger Eye controversy has prompted the US Congress to block sales of the spy drones to Seoul.
South Korea’s Defense Ministry has denied having committed any act of misconduct in the case.
In August, the US and South Korea carried out joint military exercises within the Asian country’s territories despite opposition from neighboring North Korea.
Tensions have been running high on the Korean Peninsula since November 2010, when an exchange of artillery fire between the two Koreas left four South Koreans dead on a border island.
North Korea accuses the Obama administration of plotting with regional allies to topple the country’s government.
Washington has for several years tried to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear program. Pyongyang is, however, insisting that its nuclear capabilities are aimed at deterring US ambitions in the region.
——Agencies