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4d ago

SK Telecom Ordered to Halt New Sign-Ups After Cyberattack Exposes USIM Data

South Korea's largest mobile carrier faces regulatory action as USIM shortages disrupt replacement program for 25 million customers.

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Outbound travelers wait in line at an outlet of SK Telecom Co., South Korea's leading mobile carrier, inside Incheon airport, west of Seoul, on May 1, 2025, to have a free universal subscriber identity module (USIM) replaced on their smartphones following a network hacking incident involving the potential leak of subscriber information. (Yonhap)
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SK Telecom Co. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ryu Young-sang speaks during a media briefing at the company's headquarters in downtown Seoul on May 2, 2025. (Yonhap)

Overview

  • The Ministry of Science and ICT has directed SK Telecom to suspend new subscriber registrations until it resolves USIM card shortages caused by a recent data breach.
  • A cyberattack detected on April 18 exposed customer USIM data, prompting SK Telecom to offer free replacements, but supply shortages have delayed the program.
  • The government has also instructed SK Telecom to submit a detailed plan for automatic USIM protection services, particularly for vulnerable users.
  • Daily briefings on the breach's status and remediation efforts are now required to ensure transparency and accountability.
  • Although the administrative guidance is not legally binding, SK Telecom is expected to comply to some extent, given the regulatory pressure.