Nationwide Surveillance for Infectious Bronchitis Virus in South Korea from 2020 to 2021.

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a major pathogen in poultry. The genotypes of IBV vary considerably, and their antigenicity may differ. Nationwide surveillance in South Korea was performed to determine the prevalence and distribution of IBV and its genotypes. By both active and passive surveillance, a total of 939 samples were collected and tested for IBV detection by pathogen-specific reverse transcriptase-PCR. IBV RNA-positive samples were inoculated in embryonated eggs for virus isolation. IBV was genotyped and analyzed phylogenetically based on a partial nucleotide sequence of the S1 gene. A total of 114 IBV strains were isolated; 34 (30.9%) of the 110 samples obtained by passive surveillance, and 80 (9.7%) of the 829 samples obtained by active surveillance, were positive. Most IBVs in both groups were isolated from broilers. Five genotypes (QX-like, B4-like, KM91-like, K40/09-like, and 20AD17-like) were observed in South Korea, with the QX-like genotype being the most common, and the 20AD17-like genotype being a novel genotype. These findings will help to maximize protection against IBV infection by providing a reference for the selection of an avian vaccine for IBV in South Korea.

Vigilancia nacional del virus de la bronquitis infecciosa en Corea del Sur del año 2020 al 2021. El virus de la bronquitis infecciosa (IBV) es un patógeno importante en la avicultura. Los genotipos del virus de la bronquitis varían considerablemente y su antigenicidad puede ser diversa. Se realizó un estudio de vigilancia a nivel nacional en Corea del Sur para determinar la prevalencia y distribución del virus de bronquitis y sus genotipos. Mediante vigilancia activa como pasiva, se recolectaron un total de 939 muestras y se analizaron para la detección del virus de la bronquitis infecciosa mediante transcripción reversa y PCR específica para este patógeno. Se inocularon muestras positivas para ARN del virus de bronquitis en huevos embrionados para el aislamiento del virus. Los virus de bronquitis se genotipificaron y analizaron filogenéticamente basándose en una secuencia parcial de nucleótidos del gene S1. Se aislaron un total de 114 cepas del virus de bronquitis; 34 (30.9%) de las 110 muestras obtenidas por vigilancia pasiva y 80 (9.7%) de las 829 muestras obtenidas por vigilancia activa resultaron positivas. La mayoría de los virus de bronquitis en ambos grupos se aislaron de pollos de engorde. Se observaron cinco genotipos (similares a QX, similares a B4, similares a KM91, similares a K40/09 y similares a 20AD17) en Corea del Sur, siendo el genotipo similar a QX el más común y el genotipo similar a 20AD17 que ha sido un genotipo de nueva aparición. Estos hallazgos ayudarán a maximizar la protección contra la infección por el virus de la bronquitis infecciosa al proporcionar una referencia para la selección de vacunas aviares para bronquitis infecciosa en Corea del Sur.

Research on Cyber ISR Visualization Method Based on BGP Archive Data through Hacking Case Analysis of North Korean Cyber-Attack Groups

North Korean cyber-attack groups such as Kimsuky, Lazarus, Andariel, and Venus 121 continue to attempt spear-phishing APT attacks that exploit social issues, including COVID-19. Thus, along with the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19, related threats also persist in cyberspace. In January 2022, a hacking attack, presumed to be Kimsuky, a North Korean cyber-attack group, intending to steal research data related to COVID-19. The problem is that the activities of cyber-attack groups are continuously increasing, and it is difficult to accurately identify cyber-attack groups and attack origins only with limited analysis information. To solve this problem, it is necessary to expand the scope of data analysis by using BGP archive data. It is necessary to combine infrastructure and network information to draw correlations and to be able to classify infrastructure by attack group very accurately. Network-based infrastructure analysis is required in the fragmentary host area, such as malware or system logs. This paper studied cyber ISR and BGP and a case study of cyber ISR visualization for situational awareness, hacking trends of North Korean cyber-attack groups, and cyber-attack tracking. Through related research, we estimated the origin of the attack by analyzing hacking cases through cyber intelligence-based profiling techniques and correlation analysis using BGP archive data. Based on the analysis results, we propose an implementation of the cyber ISR visualization method based on BGP archive data. Future research will include a connection with research on a cyber command-and-control system, a study on the cyber battlefield area, cyber ISR, and a traceback visualization model for the origin of the attack. The final R&D goal is to develop an AI-based cyber-attack group automatic identification and attack-origin tracking platform by analyzing cyber-attack behavior and infrastructure lifecycle.

Social Distancing and Outdoor Physical Activity During the COVID-19 Outbreak in South Korea: Implications for Physical Distancing Strategies.

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has put the entire world in a pandemic situation. In response, strict screening, quarantine protocols, and contact tracing have been conducted in South Korea. The purpose of this study was to examine effects of social distancing on the Public Bicycle Sharing System (PBSS) during the COVID-19 outbreak. We used the PBSS public dataset of Seoul, South Korea. Difference-in-differences (DID) analysis was used. In the DID approach, the 2 groups are distinguished based on designated year. Cases of PBSS use were observed in 2 time periods: pre- and post-strict social distancing in Seoul, Korea. Average PBSS usage per day doubled during 2019-2020 (30 697 vs 77 996, P < .001). Commuters and weekend users increased during the social distancing period in 2020 compared with the same period in 2019. DID analysis showed statistically significant positive effects of high levels of social distancing on PBSS usage, commuters, weekend users, and new subscribers. In conclusion, social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak increased outdoor physical activity. Meaningful outdoor physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic can be safe from infection and psychologically stabilized as long as keeping meticulous physical distancing, such as hand hygiene, wearing facial masks, and surface cleaning of public resources.