The e-mails carried malicious codes that were used to steal important documents stored in the victims’ computers, the media outlet reported. The hackers used the e-mail address, which was “hong93@police.ac.kr,” it said. 

Police authorities said they had never sent any such email to the victims, and that their e-mail address ends with “go.kr.”

Daily NK noted that a representative of the families of those abducted by the North had recently received a similar e-mail message. The representative has filed a complaint with the police, asking for a formal investigation into the case.

In recent years, Pyongyang has launched a host of cyberattacks on South Korean corporate and government websites by mobilizing its specially trained personnel, including those based in China and other foreign countries. (Yonhap)