South Korea’s spy agency says North Korea attempted cyberattacks against South Korean organizations and companies to steal homegrown technologies regarding COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

The National Intelligence Service(NIS) revealed the intelligence in a report session at the National Assembly Intelligence Committee on Tuesday, according to multiple ranking members of the parliamentary committee.

Main opposition People Power Party Rep. Ha Tae-keung, who represents the party at the committee, said the North has been making one-point-58 million cyberattack attempts every day, up by 32 percent from last year.

He said North Korean hackers also attempted to illegally obtain other South Korean technologies and sought to make financial gains from individuals and companies. 

Meanwhile, according to the lawmaker, the North also significantly strengthened punishments against North Korean residents enjoying or disseminating South Korean cultural contents.