KT Holds Press Briefing on December 30 Over Data Leak Incident
"Information Protection Is Our Top Priority... We Will Be Reborn"
Pledges Over 1 Trillion KRW Investment in Security Over Five Years
On December 30, KT issued an apology for the customer information leak incident and announced the introduction of a customer appreciation program worth 450 billion KRW, as well as a waiver of contract termination penalties.
However, the customer appreciation program does not include discounts on telecommunications fees, and there are shortcomings such as customers having to wait until as late as mid-February next year to receive their penalty refunds.
Kim Youngseop, CEO of KT, is leaving after concluding a press briefing related to unauthorized small-amount payment incidents and hacking accidents at the Gwanghwamun headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 30th. Photo by Yonhap News
Kim Youngseop, CEO of KT, held a press briefing at KT's Gwanghwamun headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and offered a deep apology for the incident.
Kim stated, "We promise not only to innovate the problematic information protection system, but also to compensate for and address each and every customer inconvenience and concern, reflecting our remorse and commitment to improvement." He added, "We will make customer information protection our top priority, crucial to the company's future, and we will be reborn as a new company."
Kwon Heegeun, Head of Marketing Innovation at KT, provided a detailed explanation of the penalty waiver and customer appreciation program.
Kwon explained, "The penalty waiver will begin tomorrow (the 31st) and run for two weeks until January 13 next year." The waiver will be applied retroactively to customers who canceled their contracts from September 1. Starting at 5 p.m. today, eligible customers will receive a text message informing them of the penalty waiver and details of the customer appreciation program.
The penalty waiver can be processed not only through the KT website but also at customer centers and authorized retailers. From 4:30 p.m. today, a lookup feature will be available for customers to check the amount of their penalty.
The penalty will be refunded through an application process. Refund applications can be submitted via the KT website or in stores from January 14 to January 31 next year.
Actual refunds will be processed sequentially, depending on the contract termination and application dates: January 22 and February 5 next year (for customers who canceled between September 1 and December 31), and February 19 (for those who canceled between January 1 and January 13, 2026).
For customers who do not apply within the application period, KT plans to provide individual notifications up to three times.
However, customers with bundled products such as internet TV are not eligible for the penalty waiver. Customers who signed new contracts, changed devices, renewed contracts after September 1, use budget phones, or had their contracts terminated by KT are also excluded from the waiver.
Kwon stated, "The waiver is limited to penalties for mobile plan discounts and device subsidy support," and added, "We ask for your understanding that wired or other products were not considered."
After completing the penalty refunds, KT will launch five customer appreciation programs starting in February next year. First, 100GB of wireless data will be automatically credited each month for six months.
Additionally, roaming data for overseas customers will be increased by 50%. The current roaming-related programs will be extended by six months and will be available until August next year.
Online video service (OTT) vouchers will also be provided for six months. Kwon explained, "After discussions with the relevant companies, we will offer two OTT services, and customers can choose their preferred option."
Furthermore, membership discounts will be available for six months at lifestyle partners such as coffee shops and cinemas, and 'Safety & Security Insurance' will be provided for two years.
Regarding the absence of fee discount benefits, Kwon said, "We aimed to provide benefits for as long as possible, with a variety of options and to as many people as possible, rather than a one-time benefit," adding, "The total value of the provided services is estimated at around 450 billion KRW."
KT announced that, in response to this incident, it will launch an 'Information Security Innovation Task Force' and comprehensively strengthen its management system for security innovation.
Park Minwoo, Head of the Information Security Innovation Task Force, stated, "We will strive to manage all potential vulnerabilities by tracking and managing everything, including KT's own programs and software, externally introduced hardware and software, and even partner companies, to maintain a consistent security posture."
He continued, "To enhance workforce expertise, we will significantly strengthen our dedicated information security organization, reinforce roles responsible for personal information protection, and continuously secure security experts."
Earlier, before the incident was reported, KT announced in July that it would invest 1 trillion KRW in information security over five years, and now plans to consider additional investments.
Park stated, "To establish a sustainable security system, a total of 1 trillion KRW will be invested in information security over the next five years starting next year," adding, "In addition to the already announced 1 trillion KRW investment, we are currently formulating a mid- to long-term security innovation master plan."
He concluded, "KT will take this incident as an opportunity to make information security the most fundamental principle of our company operations."
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