Using Huawei for 5G in South Korea presents ‘little security risk’

Senior Seoul official says equipment from the Chinese tech giant is isolated from defence and security networks and the threat is minimal

But the US ambassador has warned that working with unreliable 5G providers could have long-term implications

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Published: 9:22pm, 7 Jun 2019Updated: 10:12pm, 7 Jun 2019

A top South Korean official on Friday said there was little security risk in using equipment by Chinese telecoms giant Huawei for his country’s 5G network, amid efforts by the United States to persuade allies to avoid the company.

The presidential Blue House official said South Korea used Huawei hardware for less than 10 per cent of its fifth-generation cellular infrastructure, with the rest provided by Samsung and other firms.

“[Huawei equipment] is clearly isolated from our defence and security telecoms networks,” he reportedly told local media on condition of anonymity, as is common for background briefings from the president’s residence. “There won’t be any impact on South Korea-US military and security interests.”

Europe had installed Huawei products on 40 per cent of its 5G networks, while in Southeast Asia the figure was between 70 and 80 per cent, the high-ranking official added.

US Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris warned on Wednesday that working with unreliable 5G providers could have long-term implications for national security. He said America and its allies must tighten cybersecurity by selecting trustworthy vendors and looking beyond short-term cost cutting.

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