The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT, Minister Bae Kyunghoon) announced that it has established a joint public-private investigation team, headed by the Director-General for Cyber Security and Network Policy, to conduct an expedited examination into the unauthorized micro-payment incident involving KT subscribers. The team was formed on September 9 (Tuesday) and has commenced on-site investigative activities.

 Team Leader: Director-General for Cyber Security and Network Policy, MSIT

 Deputy Team Leader: Head of the Digital Threat Response Division, Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA)

 Members: 2 from MSIT, 4 from KISA, 6 from the private sector (number of members may be adjusted)

 Scope of Investigation and Roles:
- Systems related to unauthorized micro-payments involving KT customers
- Supporting the establishment of measures to prevent recurrence through analysis of root causes of the security incident

Upon KT’s official report of a cyber incident received at 19:16 on September 8, MSIT and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA, President Lee Sang Jung) issued a data preservation order to KT (19:50) and subsequently visited KT’s Umyeon-dong headquarters to ascertain the situation (22:50).

Given the seriousness of the incident—including the risk of further damages and the need for in-depth analysis of the attack methods—MSIT organized the joint public-private investigation team comprising mobile communications and network experts for rapid, comprehensive response. Additionally, a separate advisory panel of private-sector information security experts has been convened for technical and policy consultation to ensure a thorough review.

Vice Minister Ryu Jemyung stated, “To minimize harm to the public, we have convened the nation’s foremost experts and will work swiftly to determine the root cause and prevent the spread of further damage. Close cooperation will be maintained with the police to pursue all necessary measures.”

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division (Phone: +82-44-202-4034, E-mail: msitmedia@korea.kr) of the Ministry of Science and ICT.


Please refer to the attached PDF.