"Raise Authentication Standards and Expedite USIM Replacement"
"Poor Information Security Management and Incompetent Government Response"
On May 19, lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea and the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, who are members of the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Communications Committee, announced that they would initiate procedures to uncover the truth behind the SK Telecom hacking incident, including a parliamentary investigation, as soon as the presidential election concludes. They also criticized the Ministry of Science and ICT for its inadequate response and called for the resignation of Minister Sangim Yoo.
At the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Communications Committee plenary session held for the SK Telecom USIM hacking incident hearing, Minister of Science and ICT Sangim Yoo (right) is responding to a lawmaker's question. Photo by Yonhap News
Later that afternoon, Democratic and Innovation Party lawmakers from the committee held a press conference at the National Assembly's communication center. Regarding the second investigation results of the joint public-private task force on the SKT hacking, they criticized, "The leakage of information affecting the entire nation, the poor information security management at SKT, and the government's incompetent response have all been clearly exposed."
Previously, the SKT incident joint public-private task force held a briefing at the Government Complex Seoul, announcing that SKT's temporary management server had been infected with malware, confirming the possibility of leakage of device unique identification numbers (IMEI) and personal information.
The lawmakers from the committee urged, "We request that cooperation between telecommunications companies and financial institutions be strengthened to raise authentication standards to the highest possible level, and that SKT expedite the replacement of USIM cards." They added, "SKT must not make excuses but instead cooperate fully in clarifying responsibility, and prepare sufficient compensation measures for affected users and distribution networks."
They further stated, "The irresponsible response of the Ministry of Science and ICT, which is the ministry in charge of this incident, constitutes a serious dereliction of duty, and Minister Sangim Yoo must take responsibility and resign immediately."
Choi Minhee, chair of the committee, said, "As soon as the presidential election is over, we will establish and implement all plans to uncover the facts, including a parliamentary investigation." She added, "We expect SKT and the Ministry of Science and ICT not to downplay or cover up this incident, but to disclose the facts and cooperate in preparing countermeasures."
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