Alphabiz - Telecom Dispute Cases Surge in Korea Amid Series of Hacking Incidents

Photo courtesy of Yonhap News

[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Seoul, October 9 — South Korea has seen a sharp rise in telecom-related dispute filings this year following a series of hacking incidents targeting major carriers.


According to Rep. Kim Hyun of the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, a total of 1,549 telecom dispute cases were filed with the Telecommunications Dispute Mediation Committee under the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) through September — already surpassing the total for all of last year.


The number of filings has increased steadily over the past four years: 1,170 cases in 2021, 1,060 in 2022, 1,259 in 2023, and 1,533 in 2024. Monthly cases spiked sharply after the SK Telecom hacking incident in April, rising from 130 in March to 193 in June, and reaching a record 216 in July when the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) detected a possible KT breach.


By carrier, SK Telecom accounted for 439 cases, followed by LG Uplus (337), KT (325), and SK Broadband (87).


Analysts say the surge reflects growing consumer awareness of privacy breaches and rising frustration over service disruptions, prompting calls for tougher cybersecurity requirements across the telecom sector.

Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)