With nearly half of the users in the country, SK Telecom has faced criticism for failing to prevent the leakage of customer Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) information, while stating on the 27th that it would fully compensate customers who suffer hacking damage from the USIM protection service.
On the same day, SK Telecom revealed this information through a "customer announcement." SK Telecom noted, "To prevent cyber intrusion damage, we will provide free USIM replacement at over 2,600 T World stores nationwide starting at 10 a.m. on the 28th for customers who wish to do so," adding that "online reservation applications will also be accepted."
Regarding concerns about a "USIM crisis," the company stated, "We will prepare thoroughly for the USIM replacement, so we ask customers to visit after making an online reservation."
According to SK Telecom, the company currently possesses about 1 million USIMs. It plans to secure an additional approximately 5 million USIMs by the end of May and stated that it would acquire more USIMs according to customer demand.
SK Telecom indicated that the USIM protection service has a damage prevention effect similar to that of USIM replacement. The company stated, "This is a service that guarantees safety, and currently a total of 5.54 million customers (as of 6 p.m. on the 27th) have subscribed, which is about 24% of SK Telecom's entire subscriber base of 23 million."
SK Telecom emphasized that if cases of illegal USIM duplication damage occur in the future, the company will take responsibility and compensate the subscribers of this service.
The USIM protection service was developed in collaboration with the industry and the Cyber Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to block damage from illegal USIM duplication in 2023. It is a service that prevents access to communication services in the customer’s name from other devices even if the customer’s USIM information is stolen or duplicated.
SK Telecom stated, "We are preparing to enhance this service further in May so that it can be used while roaming abroad. We also plan to simplify the subscription process, allowing the service to be completed in one go."
Along with the USIM protection service, SK Telecom has also elevated the blocking of abnormal authentication attempts (Fraud Detection System) to the highest level in operation. The company confirmed that "so far, no damage cases have been reported since the intrusion incident."
The Ministry of Science and ICT also announced additional measures to prevent hacking damage related to the SK Telecom incident. Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo instructed the Ministry of Science and ICT to "closely examine the appropriateness of the USIM protection service subscription and USIM replacement measures" regarding the SK Telecom USIM hacking incident.
The Ministry of Science and ICT actively encouraged users to subscribe to the USIM protection service while stating that if hacking damage occurs even after subscribing, the company will fully compensate.
The Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it would assist outbound travelers in smoothly replacing their USIMs at the airport. It plans to increase the number of booths that support USIM replacement at airports where international departures are possible in consultation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
The Ministry of Science and ICT also requested that a prior reservation system be operated to minimize waiting times for subscribers wishing to replace their USIMs at service centers.
The Ministry of Science and ICT stated, "We plan to thoroughly investigate the cause of the incident through the ongoing public-private joint investigation team and transparently inform the public about the results."
Earlier, SK Telecom announced on the 22nd that a USIM information leak incident occurred due to malware. The Ministry of Science and ICT is currently investigating the cause and scale of the incident with the public-private joint investigation team, but has not yet identified the types of hacked information. The industry and government believe it will take about two months for specific investigation results to emerge.