ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 29, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 29, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• All But Two Presumed Dead in Fatal South Korea Plane Crash
• Opposition Threatens Chaos in Mozambique After Election Results Upheld
• U.S. Launches New Chinese Chips Trade Investigation

All But Two Presumed Dead in Fatal South Korea Plane Crash

South Korea’s fire authorities have said that only two among the 181 individuals aboard the Jeju Airlines flight from Bangkok have survived after the aircraft crashed during an emergency landing at Muan International Airport in South Korea. Rescue efforts are ongoing to recover bodies trapped in the fuselage, while the two survivors pulled from the tail section are undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital. Footage aired by a local broadcasting channel seemingly shows a bird strike incident as the plane descended, but investigating authorities have yet to confirm the official cause of the crash.

Opposition Threatens Chaos in Mozambique After Election Results Upheld

On December 23, 2024, the Constitutional Council (CC) made its final ruling on the October 9 general elections, declaring the ruling Mozambican Liberation Front (Frelimo) the victor. According to CC, Frelimo improbably won the presidency, a majority in parliament, and all provincial governors despite ruling that there was widespread fraud taking six presidential votes and 26 parliament seats away from Frelimo. This decision follows high-profile fraud allegations and two months of mass demonstrations led by opposition leader Venancio Mondlane of the Podemos Party. Mozambique has faced weeks of unrest, with security forces reportedly killing at least 130 people. While international observers pointed to evidence of ballot manipulation, some cautioned that Mondlane may still not have secured a truly free and fair election victory. Meanwhile, a prison riot in Mozambique on Christmas Day left 33 people dead and 15 injured, according to authorities.

U.S. Launches New Chinese Chips Trade Investigation

The United States started an investigation into Chinese-made "legacy" semiconductors, which are older chips used in various consumer goods like automobiles, washing machines, and telecom equipment. The investigation, initiated under Section 301 of the Trade Act, aims to protect U.S. semiconductor manufacturers from China's state-supported chip production. U.S. officials expressed concerns that two-thirds of U.S. semiconductor products include Chinese-made legacy chips, with some companies unaware of their origins. Legacy chips are not technologically advanced, but China can produce them much more cheaply than other countries, and they make up the bulk of most semiconductor chip sales.