South Korea has started an investigation for a possible North Korea Cyber attack after computer networks of three broadcasters and at least two banks went into a shutdown mode amid tensions reaching new heights with Pyongyang regime.

 Authorities in Seoul were not able to say where the attack  originated, but widespread suspicion have immediately fallen on North Korea, which has warned in recent days to nullify the 1953 armistice agreement that keeps the North from launching war against the southern counterpart.

Three South Korean broadcasters - KBS, MBC and YTN - and two banks - Shinhan Bank and Nonghyup -  told the police that their computer networks were completely "paralyzed" for unknown reasons at around 2 p.m. local time Wednesday.

"Reports have been made simultaneously so we have dispatched investigators to the scene," a police officer handling cyber-terrorism at the National Police Agency in Seoul told Yonhap news agency.

The shutdown came amid numerous rhetoric and warnings of attack from North Korea in response to U.N's strengthened sanctions for February nuclear test and December rocket launch. North Korea has threatened for revenge against the sanctions and the ongoing U.S.-South Korea military drill which the North calls as a preparation of war.

The en masse computer shutdown of South Korean broadcasters and banks came just days after North Korea accused their Southern Counterpart and the U.S. of staging a cyber attack that supposedly shut down their websites for two days.

The Telegraph has reported that Wednesday's cyber attack in South Korea came just hours after officials of South Korean intelligence agency accused North Korea of staging a widespread cyber propaganda attacks aimed at damaging government policies and installing social disruption.

The attack was also made on a day senior South Korean Officials and the US were to meet in Seoul to discuss ways to enforce the sanctions imposed on North Korea after the recent nuclear test.

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the Foreign Trade Bank of North Korea, the main foreign exchange bank in Pyongyang, and four other officials who are thought to have been involved in the North Korean ballistic missile program, the newspaper has reported.

The U.S. announced recently to bolster their missile defence system in response to growing North Korean threats. China, the only main ally of North Korea, criticized the move while it has condemned the nuclear programs of North Korea. 

To report problems or to leave feedback about this article, e-mail:

To contact the editor, e-mail: