South Korea is renowned for its ultra-fast internet and extensive broadband coverage, establishing itself as a hub for digital innovation with major brands like Hyundai, LG, and Samsung. However, this digital prowess has also made the nation a target for cybercriminals, exposing vulnerabilities within its cybersecurity infrastructure.
Recent high-profile security breaches have sent shockwaves across various sectors in South Korea, including financial institutions, telecommunications, tech startups, and government entities. The aftermath of these attacks has revealed a disjointed response from government ministries, often leading to a chaotic and delayed reaction to crises.
Critics assert that the fragmented organizational structure among governmental agencies undermines the country’s cybersecurity defenses, resulting in sluggish and uncoordinated responses, as reported in local media. Without a designated agency acting as a “first responder,” South Korea’s cybersecurity framework struggles to keep pace with its ambitious digital initiatives.
Brian Pak, CEO of Seoul-based cybersecurity firm Theori, emphasized that the government’s reactive stance on cybersecurity tends to focus on crisis management rather than recognizing it as a critical aspect of national infrastructure. He highlighted that agencies often operate independently, leading to neglected opportunities for developing digital defenses and training skilled personnel.
The ongoing shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals exacerbates South Korea’s vulnerabilities. Pak noted that the existing approaches hinder workforce development, creating a cycle where the lack of expertise makes it challenging to establish proactive measures against potential threats.
Furthermore, ongoing political stalemates have contributed to a tendency toward superficial “quick fixes” instead of addressing the more complex, long-term challenges associated with building digital resilience. This trend has become increasingly evident, with reports of significant cybersecurity incidents surfacing almost monthly in 2025, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the nation’s digital infrastructure.
For example, in January 2025, GS Retail confirmed a data breach affecting approximately 90,000 customers, following a website attack that compromised personal details such as names and contact information. By April, SK Telecom, one of the country’s telecommunications giants, experienced a major incident where hackers accessed the data of around 23 million customers, highlighting vulnerabilities in both customer protection and incident responses.
The latest wave of attacks has prompted the South Korean National Security Office to intensify efforts to fortify defenses. In September 2025, the office announced an interagency plan aimed at implementing comprehensive cyber measures, with a goal of delivering a coordinated government-wide response to these rampant threats. However, concerns remain regarding the risk of overreach if too much authority is centralized within a single presidential “control tower.”
In light of these developments, the MITRE ATT&CK framework provides valuable insights into the tactics likely employed during these breaches. Techniques such as initial access, where attackers exploit vulnerabilities to gain entry, and privilege escalation, allowing them to gain greater system control, likely played significant roles in the recent incidents. As South Korean organizations continue to face sophisticated cyber threats, collaboration among agencies and a concerted focus on holistic cybersecurity measures will be pivotal in addressing these ongoing challenges.
In response to media inquiries, a spokesperson from South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT assured that the ministry, alongside relevant agencies including KISA, is committed to mitigating increasingly sophisticated cyber threats while safeguarding the interests of the public and local businesses.
This article was originally published on September 30.
