Overview

• Authorities count 278 unauthorized mobile payment cases totaling about 170 million won since Aug. 27, largely affecting KT users in parts of Seoul and nearby cities.
• KT says about 19,000 phones connected at least once to illegal micro base stations, with possible exposure of IMSI data for 5,561 users.
• The company is offering free USIM replacements and a USIM protection service to the 19,000 affected users, has set up round-the-clock customer support, and will require biometric authentication for all micropayments starting Friday.
• The PIPC launched a probe into KT and LG Uplus, the science ministry is running a joint public‑private investigation, and President Lee ordered a thorough inquiry that checks for any downplaying of the breach.
• Security experts say IMSI data alone likely cannot authorize payments, so investigators are examining additional data‑exfiltration routes and other methods behind the fraud.