A major South Korean megachurch’s online worship service was briefly hijacked on Wednesday, June 18, when its YouTube livestream suddenly displayed the North Korean flag and played what sounded like propaganda music.
The incident occurred during the early morning service at Onnuri Church, one of the country’s largest congregations. According to church officials, the unexpected footage lasted about 20 seconds before the regular broadcast resumed. The church immediately reported the matter to police and issued a statement confirming it was investigating the cause of the breach.
South Korea’s state-run Korea Internet & Security Agency said it is looking into the case. The church assured its members that it is taking urgent steps to strengthen online security and prevent future disruptions.
A similar hacking incident was reported by another Seoul-based church, Naesoo-Dong Church, whose livestream was interrupted by an “inappropriate” video for nearly a minute. While that footage was not linked to North Korea, both incidents have raised concerns about the vulnerability of online religious broadcasts.
South Korea, known for its advanced digital infrastructure, has frequently been targeted by North Korean hackers in recent years. Authorities have previously blamed North Korean groups for large-scale cyberattacks on financial institutions, government agencies, and even attempts to steal sensitive defense data.
No group has claimed responsibility for the latest incidents, and investigations are ongoing. Church officials have apologized to their congregations and promised to keep members updated as more information becomes available.
This event highlights ongoing cyber tensions on the Korean peninsula and the growing challenges faced by organizations as they move more of their activities online.
