The DDoS attacks during the October 2011 South Korean by-election were two separate denial-of-service attacks (DDoS) during the October 2011 by-election. The attacks for which the secretary of the Grand National Party was held responsible, were carried out in the hope of gaining an electoral advantage.
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The attacks
The attacks consisted of two separate denial-of-service attacks against two websites during the October 2011 by-election, on October 26th, 2011. One attack was against the website of the National Election Commission of South Korea and the other against the website of, the then mayoral candidate, Park Won-soon. The attacks were specifically made during the morning, when citizens would have been expected to look up information as to where to vote. It has been theorized that the attacks were made in the belief that a reduced turnout would have benefited Mrs. Na, the candidate from the Grand National Party (GNP). The National Police Agency later revealed that the secretary of the Grand National Party, lawmaker Choi Gu-sik, was responsible for the two attacks. The National Police Agency later arrested the secretary and four other associates.
These events caused a collective panic amongst GNP members as they often denounce the online activities of South Korean progressives.
Political impact
The exposure of his role in the attacks led to Choi Gu-sik officially resigning his position as a lawmaker.
In the wake of the scandal, reformists in the conservative Grand National Party brought heavy pressure to bear on core members of the party closely affiliated to the Lee Myung-bak government; this in turn led to Park Geun-hye being brought back into the spotlight to reorganize the GNP.
Social impact
More than 30 university student associations made a joint statement calling for a thorough investigation of the attacks.