DeepSeek’s open-source AI poses new threats to South Korean security



Analysis DeepSeek’s open-source AI poses new threats to South Korean security North Korea and China could use nonproprietary AI like R1 to boost capabilities in cyberwarfare, disinformation and more John LeeJanuary 30, 2025 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON An illustration of soldiers fighting in a digital landscape \| Image: Korea Pro The open-source release of DeepSeek’s R1 has introduced a new security challenge for South Korea. Unlike proprietary large-language models that require cloud-based access and strict licensing, R1 can be downloaded, modified and deployed entirely offline. This makes it an attractive tool for adversarial states, intelligence agencies and cyber warfare units. R1’s release thus means that North Korea, already known for its aggressive cyber operations, now has access to an advanced AI model that can enhance its hacking, disinformation and electronic warfare capabilities. Concurrently, the Chinese military, which has prioritizedthe development of AI-enabled technologies for autonomous vehicles, predictive maintenance © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. LATEST ANALYSIS 01Lee Jae Myung’s ‘pacemaker’ strategy tests South Korea’s leverage with Trump 02Trump’s Korea investment victory lap masks safeguards Seoul still controls 03North Korean POW dispute tests Seoul-Kyiv trust and future Ukraine policy 04South Korea’s CPTPP push exposes the cost of turning trade gains into consensus 05AI storage boom gives South Korea battery makers an EV overcapacity lifeline 06South Korea’s Mexico strategy runs into the hard limits of USMCA politics 07Preschool test ban forces South Korea’s English hagwons to rethink placement 08Lee Jae Myung’s Wall Street pitch tests South Korea’s capital market credibility

Analysis

DeepSeek’s open-source AI poses new threats to South Korean security

North Korea and China could use nonproprietary AI like R1 to boost capabilities in cyberwarfare, disinformation and more

John LeeJanuary 30, 2025

DeepSeek’s open-source AI poses new threats to South Korean security

An illustration of soldiers fighting in a digital landscape | Image: Korea Pro

The open-source release of DeepSeek’s R1 has introduced a new security challenge for South Korea.

Unlike proprietary large-language models that require cloud-based access and strict licensing, R1 can be downloaded, modified and deployed entirely offline. This makes it an attractive tool for adversarial states, intelligence agencies and cyber warfare units.

R1’s release thus means that North Korea, already known for its aggressive cyber operations, now has access to an advanced AI model that can enhance its hacking, disinformation and electronic warfare capabilities.

Concurrently, the Chinese military, which has prioritizedthe development of AI-enabled technologies for autonomous vehicles, predictive maintenance

DeepSeek’s open-source AI poses new threats to South Korean security

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John Lee