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6d ago

South Korea Orders SK Telecom to Halt New Sign-Ups After Cyberattack

The government mandates corrective actions and a suspension of new subscriptions until USIM card shortages are resolved and protective measures are implemented.

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)

Overview

  • SK Telecom detected a cyberattack on April 18 that exposed large-scale USIM subscriber data, affecting its 25 million users.
  • The Ministry of Science and ICT has ordered the carrier to stop new customer sign-ups until USIM card shortages are addressed and replacement services are stabilized.
  • Free USIM replacements for existing customers face significant delays due to high demand and limited inventory.
  • SK Telecom is required to submit a detailed plan for automatic USIM protection services, particularly for vulnerable users, and to provide daily updates on its response to the breach.
  • Though the order is not legally binding, SK Telecom is expected to comply given the regulatory pressure and public scrutiny.