Presidential Office: "KT and Lotte Card Hacking Incidents Are Serious, Comprehensive Information Security Plan to Be Announced at End of September"

Yonhap News Agency

Following a series of recent hacking incidents targeting telecommunications and financial companies, the National Security Office of the Presidential Office will announce a comprehensive information security plan at the end of this month.

On September 22, the National Security Office stated, "In light of consecutive hacking incidents affecting telecommunications and financial companies, such as the unauthorized small payment charges at KT and the Lotte Card customer data breach, and the resulting damages suffered by the public, we are working with the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Financial Services Commission, the Personal Information Protection Commission, the National Intelligence Service, and private sector experts to prepare a comprehensive information security plan."

The National Security Office, under the leadership of Deputy Director Oh Hyunjoo, has been conducting consultations and plans to make a joint announcement with relevant ministries after additional discussions this week.

The government has determined that it is urgent to address nationwide security vulnerabilities and is establishing a large-scale inspection plan for national systems, major telecommunications and platform companies, and financial firms. In addition, the government is setting up a framework to quickly contain damage and protect users in the event of an information security incident, and is discussing ways to encourage overall information security investment in both the public and private sectors.

The National Security Office explained, "We plan to significantly improve the so-called 'Galapagos' security environment unique to Korea, such as by restricting software that financial and public institutions force consumers to install. To ensure the sustainability of our cybersecurity capabilities, we will strengthen investment in industry and talent, and expand investment in new security technologies that respond to emerging changes such as artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing."