Police are investigating two suspects without detention in connection with a massive personal data leak from the "Ttareungyi" Seoul public bicycle application.
At a regular press briefing on Feb. 9, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Park Jeong-bo said, "We have identified two suspects (in the Ttareungyi personal data leak)," adding, "Through analysis of seized materials, we identified one accomplice, arrested the person, and sought a detention warrant, but it was dismissed."
The investigation began after it was confirmed that personal data had been leaked following a cyberattack on the Ttareungyi app in June 2024, which was presumed to be a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. Police believe one of the booked suspects led the cyberattack and, along with the other suspect, stole the personal data.
The Personal Information Protection Commission said on Jan. 30 that it had received a breach report from the Seoul Facilities Corporation regarding the leak of more than 4.5 million Ttareungyi member records.
Police also said they recently received a request for an investigation into allegations that the Seoul Facilities Corporation recognized the data leak but took no significant action for about two years. Commissioner Park said the direction of the investigation would be determined after questioning the complainant.
Regarding allegations that LG Uplus concealed a hacking incident, Commissioner Park said, "We recently received the case and are conducting an investigation." Earlier, a public-private joint investigation team that included the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) confirmed that internal information at LG Uplus had been leaked, but said related servers had been reinstalled or discarded, and asked police to investigate on suspicion of obstruction of official duties.
As for last year's SK Telecom personal data leak, investigators have identified the command server used to steal the data, but the probe is reportedly delayed because international cooperation is needed. Commissioner Park said, "We are working with 31 IT corporations in 14 countries."
In addition, the case involving Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Jang Kyung-tae, who is suspected of sexually harassing a female secretary at a drinking gathering, is expected to see a decision soon on whether to refer the case after a legal review. The investigation is also continuing into allegations of stock transactions under borrowed names by lawmaker Lee Chun-seok, for which prosecutors requested supplementary investigation.
Regarding National Agricultural Cooperative Federation Chairman Kang Ho-dong, who is suspected of receiving benefits worth about 1 billion won, Commissioner Park said, "We conducted a compulsory investigation last month," adding, "We have not yet requested an appearance."