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SK Telecom Halts New Sign-Ups as USIM Replacement Efforts Intensify

With over 7.8 million pending USIM replacement reservations, SK Telecom prioritizes safeguarding 25 million subscribers following a major data breach.

Image
The logo of SK Hynix is seen at its headquarters in Seongnam, South Korea, April 25, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji
This photo, taken May 5, 2025, shows a notice on the suspension of new sign-ups on the window of a store directly operated by SK Telecom Co. in Seoul. (Yonhap)
SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won bows to apologize for a large-scale data breach during a press conference in Seoul on May 7, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

Overview

  • SK Telecom has suspended new subscriber sign-ups nationwide to focus on replacing compromised USIM cards after an April cyberattack exposed customer data.
  • Over 1 million USIM replacements have been completed, with 7.8 million reservations still pending due to inventory shortages.
  • The company's USIM Protection Service has enrolled over 24 million users, providing an alternative layer of security against potential fraud.
  • Government directives and regulatory scrutiny have intensified, requiring SK Telecom to resolve the ongoing USIM shortage before resuming new customer registrations.
  • No confirmed cases of financial fraud linked to the breach have been reported, but a growing number of users are pursuing legal action through class-action efforts.