KCC to Prepare for Increase in Smishing Damages from USIM Replacement Bait Messages

KCC Monitors Illegal Spam Trends and Provides Preventive Education for Vulnerable Groups
"Resolving User Inconvenience"

Lee Jinsuk, Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, is attending the full meeting of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee held at the National Assembly on the 5th, responding to questions on current issues. 2025.3.5. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The Korea Communications Commission (Chairperson Lee Jinsuk) announced on the 2nd that it will strengthen user protection and market monitoring measures to address user inconvenience and anxiety related to the recent SKT cyber breach incident.

The Commission is currently monitoring trends in illegal spam reports and the content of such reports, in preparation for a possible increase in phishing and smishing damages caused by bait messages related to USIM replacement, USIM delivery, and USIM protection service subscriptions.

In anticipation of a surge in illegal spam, the Commission is requesting mobile carriers and other relevant parties to enhance intelligent spam filtering. When necessary, it plans to respond swiftly through the "Public-Private Council for Illegal Spam Response," which consists of relevant government agencies and private sector operators.

The Commission also plans to include preventive education on SKT breach-related USIM replacement, USIM protection service subscription methods, and illegal spam response procedures in its broadcasting and communications service utilization and damage prevention training for vulnerable groups.

Through the Online Damage 365 Center, professional counselors will provide support services specifically for vulnerable groups, further strengthening assistance efforts.

Additionally, the Commission will conduct a special inspection of SKT, which is designated as an identity verification agency, from the 7th to the 9th, to verify the safety of the identity verification system against unauthorized verification attempts or abnormal signs.

This inspection is separate from regular inspections and will focus intensively on detecting any abnormalities in the identity verification system and thoroughly reviewing the status of technical and managerial measures related to hacking.

Meanwhile, the Commission will also conduct on-site inspections of retail stores and strengthen monitoring during the holiday period. In addition, it has decided to take strict measures such as imposing fines and administrative penalties in the event of violations.

Chairperson Lee Jinsuk stated, "We will do our utmost to protect users in order to minimize damages and prevent secondary harm related to the USIM hacking incident," and added, "We will take strict action against market-disrupting activities in the mobile communications sector and continue efforts to protect vulnerable groups."