100 SK Telecom Hacking Victims File for Collective Dispute Mediation Over Personal Information

Law Firm Igong Files Application
"Additional Applications and Participation Requests Will Be Accepted"

One hundred victims of the SK Telecom USIM information hacking incident have filed a collective dispute mediation request with the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC).

On May 13, law firm Igong announced that it had submitted a collective dispute mediation application to the Personal Information Dispute Mediation Committee on behalf of the SK Telecom USIM information hacking victims, seeking compensation for damages caused by the hacking.

It is understood that the victims are demanding three things: compensation for damages, measures to prevent recurrence (institutional improvements), and other forms of relief.

Unlike damage compensation lawsuits, which usually take two to three years and can sometimes last even longer, the collective dispute mediation system for personal information aims to provide swift relief for victims. Based on the Personal Information Protection Act, once the committee decides to initiate collective dispute mediation procedures, it is required to announce the decision for 14 days and complete the mediation within 60 days from the day after the announcement period ends.

Law firm Igong stated, "We have filed the first collective dispute mediation application on behalf of victims who agreed to seek relief through this process," adding, "We plan to accept additional applications or participation requests in the future."

The firm further explained that if SK Telecom does not accept the collective dispute mediation proposal from the Personal Information Dispute Mediation Committee, or if the amount of compensation is insufficient, they will file a damage compensation lawsuit to ensure the victims receive reasonable compensation.