Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, and Chey Chang-won, chairman of the SK SUPEX Council, have been confirmed to have enrolled in the SIM protection service without changing their SIM cards in connection with the recent hacking incident at SK Telecom. It has been reported that SK Telecom and the Ministry of Science and ICT are currently investigating the situation under the assumption that, in the worst-case scenario, SIM information for all customers has been compromised.
Ryu Young-sang, president of SK Telecom, appeared as a witness at the 'YTN and other telecommunications hearings' held by the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Broadcasting and Communications Committee at 10 a.m. and noted, "Chairman Chey Tae-won and Chairman Chey Chang-won have signed up for the SIM protection service and have not changed their SIM cards." He also mentioned that they would provide additional updates regarding the SIM replacement status of executives within SK Group as soon as they have more information.
SK Telecom has been providing free SIM replacement services to all subscribers since the 28th. However, the supply is woefully insufficient compared to demand on the ground, causing users to wait in line outside stores without being able to replace their SIM cards. SK Telecom is encouraging subscribers to apply for the protection service, stating that merely enrolling in the SIM protection service can provide effects similar to those of a SIM replacement.
Chairperson Choi Min-hee questioned whether the executives of SK Group, including Chairman Chey, had changed their SIM cards, saying, 'If the SIM protection service is sufficient, then Chairman Chey would not have changed his SIM.'
President Ryu noted that he also has "not changed" his SIM card, stating, "I believe the SIM protection service is sufficient." He further remarked, "I assess that the SIM protection service has an effect comparable to that of a SIM replacement."
President Ryu said, "In the worst-case scenario, we are preparing for the possibility that the information of all subscribers, including those using budget phones, may have been leaked." He emphasized this while responding to a question from People Power Party legislator Choi Soo-jin, stating, "We are thoroughly prepared."
Currently, there are approximately 25 million SK Telecom subscribers, including users of budget phones. According to the office of legislator Choi Min-hee, the amount of data leaked from the SK Telecom hacking incident is about 9.7 gigabytes (GB), equivalent to 9,000 books (approximately 2.7 million pages) if translated into document files.
In response to questions from legislators about whether the company should waive penalties if subscribers decide to switch to another mobile carrier due to this incident, President Ryu refrained from commenting. He stated, 'I will provide an answer after a comprehensive review.'
The committee plans to resume its meeting at 3:53 p.m. and will apply to call Chairman Chey as a witness to press for the waiver of penalties. President Ryu left the meeting room at around 2 p.m., while Ryu Jeong-hwan, vice president of SK Telecom, is expected to stay and respond to questions from legislators.