Government seeks legislative repair as present regulation limits preemptive motion
South Korea’s new ICT minister has pledged a basic overhaul of the nation’s cyber protection system, after a latest breach at KT Corp. uncovered main gaps in how authorities and firms deal with cyber incidents.
At his first press briefing since taking workplace Friday, Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon mentioned the federal government should transfer past post-incident investigations and construct a framework that enables proactive intervention. His remarks come within the wake of unauthorized micropayments charged to just about 280 KT subscribers, value over 170 million received ($122,400), in what has been described as some of the troubling shopper cyber fraud instances lately.
“While cause analysis is important, what’s more pressing is reforming a system that only permits investigations after an incident is reported,” Bae mentioned. “We’re actively consulting with the National Assembly to devise the most effective legislative response.”
Under present regulation, authorities can solely launch on-site investigations into cyberattacks if the affected entity voluntarily reviews the incident. The KT case has highlighted the dangers of that framework. Police reportedly flagged irregular billing exercise early on, however KT delayed reporting the problem after concluding there was “no evidence of hacking.” The hesitation drew sharp criticism from shoppers and lawmakers, who accused the corporate of prioritizing reputational considerations over transparency.
While main companies similar to KT and SK Telecom ultimately filed reviews, many others reportedly stay silent, cautious of potential penalties and lawsuits. Critics say this lack of disclosure weakens systemic menace detection and leaves shoppers susceptible.
By distinction, the Personal Information Protection Commission has the authority to provoke investigations with out ready for company notification in suspected knowledge breaches. No such authority at the moment exists for the ICT Ministry in broader cyber incidents.
Bae harassed that telecommunications networks stay prime targets for cybercriminals as a result of sheer quantity of knowledge trade and app utilization. He warned that each carriers and machine makers should introduce “holistic safeguards” to protect in opposition to app-based hacking and smishing assaults, including that the KT case needs to be handled as a nationwide safety situation, not merely a company mishap.
The minister additionally revealed that the federal government has contacted SK Telecom and LG Uplus to look at related patterns, together with suspicious base station actions, to find out whether or not the KT incident is a part of a wider systemic weak point.
To spearhead reforms, the ministry has arrange a cybersecurity reform process drive led by Second Vice Minister Ryu Jae-myung. The group will pursue legislative amendments to grant the federal government larger powers to intervene instantly in large-scale assaults, in addition to strengthen safety audits and shut regulatory loopholes.
“Cyberattacks are evolving rapidly, and attack vectors are becoming more sophisticated. We are not just reacting — we are implementing structural reforms,” Ryu mentioned.
Another key precedence is assist for small and medium-sized enterprises, which frequently lack the assets to construct sturdy defenses. “Unlike the major telcos, SMEs are significantly more vulnerable,” Bae mentioned, including that the federal government is exploring monetary assist mechanisms to assist them spend money on safety.
He referred to as for a unified cybersecurity regime that applies throughout all sectors, from startups to conglomerates. “Cyber threats do not discriminate based on company size. We must identify and resolve root vulnerabilities systemically,” he mentioned.
Beyond cybersecurity, Bae outlined an formidable agenda for science and know-how. Korea plans to develop into one of many world’s high three AI powerhouses, with 10.1 trillion received earmarked for the sector in 2026. The initiative will prioritize a home AI semiconductor ecosystem, expanded knowledge infrastructure and streamlined rules.
The authorities has additionally pledged a report 35.3 trillion received for analysis and growth in 2026, the biggest annual R&D funding in Korea’s historical past. The plan is designed to place the nation among the many world’s high 5 science and know-how leaders.
Bae, who beforehand led LG AI Research, was appointed ICT minister in July beneath President Lee Jae Myung’s administration. His twin concentrate on cybersecurity resilience and AI innovation underscores what he referred to as “a national blueprint” for Korea’s digital future.
By Jie Ye-eun ([email protected])