Hackers steal defence secrets

Hackers believed to be from China have stolen secret South Korean documents on defence and foreign affairs using emails supposedly from Seoul officials.

The suspected hacking occurred when South Korean officials opened attached files with titles referring to events such as this year's visits to China by Kim Jong-il, the North Korean leader.

The emails, which looked as if they had been sent from a South Korean presidential official and a South Korean diplomat, contained hacking programs that self-activated when the emails were opened.