Could Personal Data of 5,561 Users Have Been Compromised? S. Korea’s KT Speaks Out
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Synopsis
KT Corp. has revealed a potential breach that compromises the personal data of over 5,500 users due to unauthorized mobile transactions. As the second-largest mobile carrier in South Korea, concerns surrounding data protection are heightened after this and previous incidents. What measures are being taken to support affected customers?
Key Takeaways
- KT Corp. reported a data breach affecting over 5,500 users.
- CEO Kim Young-shub issued an apology and promised full compensation.
- Affected customers will receive free USIM chip replacements.
- Authorities confirmed 278 unauthorized payment cases totaling 170 million won.
- The incident highlights ongoing concerns about data security in the telecom sector.
Seoul, Sep 11 (NationPress) KT Corp. announced on Thursday that the personal information of more than 5,500 users may have been compromised due to a recent mobile payment security breach. The company issued a public apology for this incident at the nation's second-largest mobile carrier.
"We have confirmed a potential leak of international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) data affecting 5,561 users," KT stated in its announcement. "We have reported the situation to the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) this afternoon and have informed affected customers through text messages about available relief options."
At a press conference, Kim Young-shub, the chief executive officer (CEO) of KT, also expressed regret, promising full compensation, according to reports from Yonhap news agency.
"We sincerely apologize to all customers impacted by unauthorized mobile payments," he remarked. "We are committed to doing everything possible to prevent further harm and to provide comprehensive compensation to the victims."
Since August 27, a number of KT users, primarily in southwestern Seoul, have reported instances of unauthorized mobile transactions.
The government has initiated a special investigative team to look into this matter.
KT reported that the IMSI data may have been exposed through illegal, unregistered micro base stations that were connected to its communication network. IMSI data, which serves as a unique identifier for each subscriber stored in a universal subscriber identity module (USIM) chip, poses risks if it gets leaked.
Approximately 19,000 customers had their mobile devices connect to these illegal base stations at least once, although not all faced unauthorized financial transactions.
Out of this group, the IMSI data of 5,561 customers is believed to have been compromised, the company added.
As of Wednesday, authorities confirmed 278 cases of unauthorized mobile payments totaling 170 million won (around $122,000) reported by KT users.
KT stated that it will assist all 19,000 affected customers by replacing USIM chips free of charge and providing a USIM protection service.
This recent breach at KT follows a significant data leak at SK Telecom Co. just a few months ago, which impacted over 20 million users and has raised public concerns regarding data security at local telecom companies.
Point of View
It's crucial to recognize the gravity of data breaches like this one at KT Corp. The impact on customer trust cannot be understated, especially following similar incidents in the telecom sector. Our role is to ensure that affected users receive the necessary support and that companies prioritize data security to prevent future occurrences.
NationPress
12/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at KT Corp.?
KT Corp. announced that personal data of over 5,500 users may have been compromised in a recent mobile payment breach, prompting a public apology and notification to affected customers.
What measures is KT taking for affected users?
KT is offering free replacements of USIM chips and providing a USIM protection service to all 19,000 affected customers.
How many users reported unauthorized transactions?
Authorities have confirmed 278 cases of unauthorized mobile payments reported by KT users, totaling approximately 170 million won.
What is IMSI data?
IMSI data is a unique identifier for each mobile subscriber that can be misused if leaked, posing significant risks to users.
Is this the first data breach in the telecom sector?
No, this breach follows a significant data leak at SK Telecom Co. affecting over 20 million users, raising concerns about data protection in the telecom industry.
