National Assembly Political Affairs Committee Unites in Criticism of SKT Hacking Incident: "Government Too Passive"

"Effective Measures Needed, Such as Imposing Punitive Fines"

On April 28, members of the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee strongly criticized SK Telecom over the recent SIM (USIM) hacking incident during a plenary session.

Lee Heonseung, a member of the People Power Party, stated during the inquiry session, "Incidents involving the leakage of personal information by telecommunications companies, such as KT in 2014 and LG Uplus in 2018, as well as delayed reporting and avoidance of responsibility, have been repeatedly occurring, yet the government has been passive in its inspections." He argued, "Effective measures such as imposing punitive fines are necessary."

On the 28th, customers visiting an official SK Telecom certified agency in Jung-gu, Seoul, are waiting to replace their SIM cards. SK Telecom plans to offer free SIM card replacement services to subscribers starting today. 2025.4.28. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

Kang Minkook, also from the People Power Party, commented, "This hacking incident is akin to having the password to your home’s door lock leaked." He emphasized, "The leakage of information of 25 million people is a matter of the company's very survival." When Ko Haksoo, Chairperson of the Personal Information Protection Commission, stated that the investigation into the SKT data breach could take more than a year, Kang criticized, "Such indifferent and irresponsible remarks make it seem as if this incident happened in another country," and asked, "By the way, do you use KT as your mobile carrier?"

Yoon Hanhong, the Political Affairs Committee Chairperson from the People Power Party, told Chairperson Ko, "If people have to switch carriers due to hacking, shouldn't the issue of cancellation fees also be resolved? Please review this matter."

Min Byungdeok, a member of the Democratic Party, questioned, "Right now, the priority is to prevent further expansion of hacking damage, so how can you say you will only protect those who have voluntarily subscribed to the SIM protection service?"

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party continued its criticism of Acting President and Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, who is expected to announce his presidential candidacy later this week. Kang Hoonshik, a Democratic Party lawmaker, said, "There is a saying in Yeouido that you should watch the feet, not the words. The Prime Minister is already acting like a presidential candidate." Park Sanghyuk, also from the Democratic Party, mentioned that Son Youngtaek, the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, had resigned that day and added, "If the Prime Minister is in effect engaging in political activities and electioneering, and staff members in the Prime Minister's Office follow suit, strict accountability for violating political neutrality as civil servants must be enforced."