[Exclusive] Accusation of ‘USIM hacking’… Police begin investigation into SKT CEO Yoo Young-sang

Sued and accused of obstruction of official duties due to breach of trust and hierarchy
Police plan to investigate complaint and accuser on the 15th

It was confirmed on the 9th that the police had begun an investigation into SK Telecom (SKT) CEO Yoo Young-sang, who was sued and accused in the aftermath of the unprecedented SIM information hacking incident.

According to CBS Nocut News coverage on this day, Seoul Namdaemun Police Station recently booked and is investigating Representative Yoo on charges of breach of trust and obstruction of official duties through hierarchy.

On the 1st, Daeryun Law Firm received a request from a complainant regarding the SIM hacking incident and filed a complaint against CEO Yoo and the security manager, and the police began an investigation.

Regarding CEO Yoo's alleged breach of trust, Daeryun said, "SKT has reduced information protection investment costs even though it is in a position to handle entrusted affairs such as protecting and managing users' SIM-related information," and added, "Although it is possible to predict that information leaks may occur, it will neglect affairs such as storing and utilizing users' information and maximize its own profits to obtain property profits and bear the guilt of breach of trust in business."

In addition, it was pointed out that CEO Yoo was late in reporting the hacking damage to the authorities, and that he underreported the circumstances of the damage, leading to charges of obstruction of official duties by hierarchy.

According to the SKT report data obtained from the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) by People Power Party lawmaker Choi Soo-jin, a member of the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee (Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee), the SKT hacking incident was reported at 4:46 pm on the 20th of last month. However, controversy over late reporting arose as it was revealed that SKT first recognized that some data had been leaked externally at 6:09 p.m. on the 18th, two days before the filing, and internally confirmed that it had been hacked at 11:20 p.m. on the same day. Even though actual hacking was confirmed, suspicions were raised that the incident was underreported due to 'suspicious circumstances'.

According to the Information and Communications Network Act, which was revised in August of last year, information and communication service providers must report the details of the damage, cause, and response status to the Minister of Science and ICT or the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) within 24 hours after becoming aware of a cyber infringement incident such as hacking.

Regarding this, Daeryun's side pointed out, "SKT's false reporting of the time of recognition constitutes obstruction of official duties by hierarchy, and is a serious violation of the law that hindered the appropriate initial response of government agencies." He added, "KISA has a public obligation to take immediate necessary measures in the event of a hacking incident in accordance with the Information and Communications Network Act, and SKT's hierarchical false reporting is a clear act of obstruction of this."

The police plan to conduct an investigation into the complaint and accuser on the 15th. It is currently difficult to identify and book SKT security officers who were accused along with CEO Yoo, and it is understood that the plan is to find out during the investigation process.

CBS No Cut News Reporter Kim Soo-jeong (ssuk@cbs.co.kr)

[View full article]
Nocut News - [Exclusive] Accusation of 'USIM hacking'... Police begin investigation into SKT CEO Yoo Young-sang (link)
The Hankyoreh - Police begin investigation into CEO Yoo Young-sang into ‘SKT hacking incident’… “Charges of breach of trust, etc.” (Shortcut)
Newsis - Aftermath of 'USIM hacking'... Police begin investigation into SKT CEO Yoo Young-sang (link)
Yonhap News TV - Police book SKT CEO Yoo Sang in connection with 'USIM hacking' (link)
MBC - Police begin investigation into the case of SKT CEO Yoo Young-sang accusing him of 'USIM hacking' (link)
The Fact - Police investigate SKT CEO Yoo Yeong-sang for 'USIM hacking' (link)
Seoul Economic Daily - Police investigate SK Telecom CEO Yoo Sang in connection with 'USIM hacking' (go)
Edaily - Police make all-out efforts to investigate 'USIM hacking'... Chairman Chey Tae-won is also included in the investigation (link)
Chosun Biz - Police are tracking IP hacked by SKT... Chairman Choi was also accused of violating the Orthodox Network Act (link)
Pos Journal - Police begin investigation into SKT management..."Allegations of late reporting of hacking, etc." (Shortcut)
New Daily - Police begin investigation into management of 'SKT SIM incident'... "Suspicion of breach of trust in business" (Shortcut)