South Korea's SK Telecom Begins SIM Card Replacement After Data Breach

South Korea's largest mobile carrier, SK Telecom, has started replacing mobile SIM chips for its 23 million users following a data breach that compromised customers' personal information. The move comes after the company announced earlier this month that it had fallen victim to a hacking incident involving malicious code.

A Long Line of Frustrated Customers

The replacement process, which began at 10am on Monday, has prompted alarmed customers to form long queues at carrier stores nationwide. The USIM chips used in mobile networks have been replaced free of charge for those who wish to upgrade at over 2,600 retail locations.

A Vow of Responsibility

SK Telecom has vowed to take full responsibility for the incident and asked users to sign up for an information protection service. The company acknowledged that it had secured less than five percent of the USIM cards needed for its customer base, but promised to procure additional 5 million chips by the end of May.

A Country Under Siege

South Korea has long been a target of cyber hacking by North Korea, which has been blamed for several major attacks in the past. In May, police announced that North Korean hackers were behind the theft of sensitive data from a South Korean court computer network, including individuals' financial records over a two-year period.

A Global Concern

The incident highlights the vulnerability of the country's data protection system and the need for increased security measures. The government has ordered a review of the overall system in response to the breach, which has raised concerns among citizens about their personal information.

Additional Measures

In addition to the SIM card replacement, SK Telecom has asked users to sign up for an information protection service. The company has also vowed to thoroughly prepare for future incidents and ensure that its customers are informed of any security breaches.

A Growing Concern

The incident is just the latest in a series of high-profile cyber attacks on South Korea's mobile carriers. As the country continues to be targeted by hackers, it remains to be seen whether the measures taken by SK Telecom and the government will be enough to prevent future incidents.