US military issues alert after North Korean propaganda found on multiple bases

Soldiers walk down a side street at Yongsan Garrison in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, March, 30, 2017. USFK warned servicemembers to stay alert to insider threats after propaganda leaflets were discovered at the base Thursday.

MARCUS FICHTL/STARS AND STRIPES

By SETH ROBSON | STARS AND STRIPES Published: December 21, 2017

U.S. Forces Korea is warning servicemembers on the peninsula to stay alert to potential insider threats after North Korean propaganda appeared on American bases.

The 8th Army reported that propaganda leaflets were discovered at Seoul’s Yongsan Garrison Thursday, shortly after a North Korean soldier defected across the heavily fortified border just north of the South Korean capital.

In an alert posted later that day on USFK’s Facebook page, officials said a significant number of North Korean propaganda leaflets and CDs had been placed at strategic locations on multiple U.S. military installations in South Korea.

“Given the number of foreign nationals with access to our military installations via employment, sponsorship and partnership programs, the potential for insider threats is always a reality,” the alert said. “It is essential for our personnel to report all [propaganda] and suspicious individuals to the appropriate authorities to help mitigate potential threats.”

Propaganda is used to persuade or influence people’s attitude, beliefs and behaviors and those distributing it seek to disrupt operations and degrade readiness, the alert added.

It also warned personnel not to post propaganda on social media and beware of unfamiliar CDs that may contain malware or viruses.

USFK advised personnel to report propaganda, people distributing it or suspicious individuals to security forces.

robson.seth@stripes.com
Twitter: @SethRobson1

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This alert posted on the official 8th Army Facebook page on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017, warns servicemembers to watch out for insider threats after North Korean propaganda leaflets were found on U.S. military bases in South Korea.
COURTESY OF THE 8TH ARMY

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