Prime Minister Han Urges Swift Investigation into Personal Data Hacking, Strict Supervision of Damage Compensation

Regarding the leakage of personal information from financial institutions and other entities following suspected AI-driven cyberattacks, Prime Minister Han Seong-suk ordered, "I ask the National Police Agency to cooperate with relevant agencies and focus all capabilities to swiftly investigate the hacking forces."

Prime Minister Han made the remarks in an opening address at a meeting on personal information leaks from financial and public institutions held at the Government Complex Seoul on October 6. Prime Minister Han pointed out, "Although this attack was directed at some external vulnerabilities rather than the core computer system of the financial sector, it is presumed to have utilized artificial intelligence, and it is a serious situation in that secondary damage could follow if AI is used for phishing in the future."

Han added, "There is very great concern in that similar hacking methods could spread not only across the financial sector but also to industry and the government and public sectors going forward."

Emphasizing vigilance, Han stressed, "The government, public institutions, the financial sector, and businesses must all remain vigilant, swiftly resolve this incident, and use it as an opportunity to completely revamp and establish our security systems."

Han also urged, "Since it is difficult to prepare with existing security and inspection systems, we must expedite a comprehensive overhaul."

Specifically, Prime Minister Han directed, "The Financial Services Commission must accurately assess the scope of leaked personal data from financial institutions, thoroughly analyze the causes, and prepare countermeasures," adding, "I hope you will supervise and support the financial companies involved so that they thoroughly carry out customer protection and damage compensation."

Han continued, "Relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Personal Information Protection Commission, should conduct inspections so that industry and public institutions can strengthen their own preventive activities and respond swiftly in emergencies to prevent information leaks caused by additional hacking," adding, "I believe it is time to comprehensively review the personal information protection certification systems we currently have."

Along with this, Han instructed officials to clean up inactive or neglected websites currently maintained by the government and public institutions, such as by shutting them down, and to examine ways to reorganize the information security governance system to match environmental changes, such as the revitalization of AI and widespread cloud adoption.

Prime Minister Han also called for diligence, saying, "False information and fake news, such as claims that deposit account details have been hacked, are spreading through social media," adding, "Please ensure no effort is spared in transparently providing information so that anxiety does not arise among the public."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.