South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has called for the establishment of a powerful government-wide cybersecurity body to strengthen the country’s digital defences and coordinate security operations currently spread across multiple government agencies.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Lee warned that South Korea’s existing cybersecurity framework, which largely relies on inspections and responses after incidents occur, is no longer sufficient to protect critical infrastructure and essential public services.
He called for a more comprehensive, prevention-focused approach that would identify and address cyber threats before they cause significant damage.
Lee also highlighted the multibillion-dollar cryptocurrency theft involving Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. Although he did not directly accuse North Korea, the FBI has attributed the attack to North Korean hackers. Pyongyang denied any involvement on Tuesday, describing the allegations as absurd.
The South Korean president also proposed establishing a government-wide cybersecurity task force involving both public and private sector organisations.
“There is also a need to discuss setting up a government-wide task force that spans both the public and private sectors,” Lee said.
He further urged officials to consider creating a powerful cybersecurity leadership body, sometimes described as a cybersecurity ‘tsar’, with the authority to supervise and coordinate security responsibilities currently distributed across different institutions.
Meanwhile, South Korea has intensified its efforts to assess potential vulnerabilities across public institutions. The National Intelligence Service has reportedly launched emergency security inspections covering more than 2,100 central government ministries, local governments and public institutions, according to Yonhap News Agency.
The renewed focus on cybersecurity comes amid a series of cyber incidents targeting South Korean organisations. The country’s financial sector has experienced multiple hacking incidents in recent weeks, while North Korean-linked hackers have previously been blamed for attacks targeting cryptocurrency companies, financial institutions and government systems.
Lee’s proposal highlights the growing need for stronger coordination between government agencies and private organisations as cyberattacks increasingly threaten financial systems, digital infrastructure and national security.
Source: Reuters Edited by Bernie
