South Korea2026-10-03 06:22:45Five major South Korean banks hit by suspected AI-driven cyberattacks, with data leaks reported at threeSouth Korea’s five largest commercial banks have all been hit by suspected AI-driven cyberattacks, according to Yonhap News Agency, marking the first time all five were targeted at once in the country’s financial sector. Three banks have disclosed information leaks. BNK Busan Bank said a hacking incident exposed the personal information of 11 outsourced employees. KB Kookmin Bank reported that data belonging to 119 customers was leaked in a cyberattack. Hana Bank also said information tied to 89 customers was exposed. The report, cited by ChainCatcher, did not provide additional details on the other two banks or on the specific attack methods.100
South Korea2026-09-30 02:58:53South Korea opposition floor leader calls for review of crypto tax planSouth Korea’s People Power Party floor leader Chung Jeom-sik said the government should revisit both its plan to create a "Future Response Fund" financed by excess tax revenue and its tax regime for virtual assets, according to Yonhap News Agency. Chung argued that excess tax revenue is temporary by nature, while spending, once expanded, is difficult to cut back. He said the government should put tax relief for citizens first. On the virtual asset tax scheduled to take effect in January next year, Chung called for either a delay or a repeal. He also warned that pushing ahead with the tax could drive capital to other jurisdictions, naming Hong Kong and Singapore.220
SK Telecom2026-08-29 10:24:52SK Telecom to Spin Off AI Data Center Unit as SK Horizon, Eyes $2.2BChainCatcher reported, citing Yonhap, that SK Telecom, South Korea's largest mobile carrier, announced the spin-off of its AI data center (AIDC) business into a new independent entity, SK Horizon. The company plans to attract a total of 3.08 trillion Korean won (approximately $2.2 billion) in external funds. The spin-off transaction is expected to complete on February 1, 2027. Global private equity firm KKR, along with IMM Investment and Stonebridge Capital consortium, may participate in the investment.870
South Korea2026-08-12 14:53:48Ex-President Yoon Suk-yeol Indicted Over Emergency Martial Law JustificationSouth Korea's second comprehensive special investigation team on August 12 indicted former President Yoon Suk-yeol and former National Security Office chief Shin Won-sik, accusing them of spreading information that sought to justify the '12·3' emergency martial law declaration. The indictment, reported by Yonhap News Agency, brings the total number of criminal proceedings against Yoon to nine. The special investigation team said Yoon allegedly acted immediately after announcing emergency martial law on December 3, directing the National Security Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to convey to the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and the European Union that 'the emergency martial law was justified.' The former president is now suspected of abuse of authority that obstructs the exercise of rights — specifically the charge of abusing his position to order civil servants to perform work that falls outside their official duties. The prosecution team filed the case on the same day that Yonhap reported the development, making it the latest in a series of criminal cases against the former president.1550
South Korea2026-08-10 02:24:34Lee Jae-myung to Chair Semiconductor and AI Data Center Investment MeetingAccording to Yonhap, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung will chair a meeting on Monday at 2 p.m. local time to discuss how to rapidly carry out large-scale investment plans for semiconductor manufacturing facilities and artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. It will be the second such meeting since his government announced its 'three major projects' in late June. Under the plan, investment will go toward semiconductor production clusters, physical AI, and AI data centers across regions. The South Korean presidential office said the meeting will discuss ways to support the rapid implementation of the investment plans and ensure the gains are shared across all regions and the broader industrial ecosystem. The announcement follows the government's June rollout of the three key projects, which target manufacturing and AI infrastructure. The meeting is intended to help translate those plans into concrete action, according to a Yonhap report.1850
South Korea2026-08-03 04:37:29South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s approval rating falls to lowest since taking officeYonhap News Agency reported Monday that South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s approval rating has dropped to its lowest level since he took office in June last year, following controversies including a stock market slump. A poll conducted by Realmeter for media outlet EKN found Lee’s positive rating fell 0.4 percentage points from a week earlier to 45.9%, marking a third straight weekly decline. His negative rating rose 1 percentage point to 50.5%, crossing the 50% mark for the first time. In a separate survey by the same pollster, support for the ruling Democratic Party reached 45.1%, up 3.8 percentage points from the previous week. Support for the main opposition People Power Party fell 2.9 percentage points to 37.7%.1940
South Korea s2026-07-29 11:20:56South Korea stock slide fuels retail panic as Lee Jae-myung’s approval rating falls for a second weekSouth Korean stocks extended their decline on July 29, with retail sentiment deteriorating sharply as losses mounted. On Daum, one of the country’s main stock discussion platforms, retail investors were described as being in a state of deep panic, with posts largely focused on regret over buying the dip and criticism of weak regulation. Yonhap News Agency separately reported that a poll released on July 27 showed President Lee Jae-myung’s approval rating had fallen for a second consecutive week, staying around 40%. Research firm Realmeter said the downward trend appeared to be continuing this week. According to Realmeter, the pressure came from a combination of negative economic factors and public backlash over property-related issues. The firm cited the stock market crash, controversy over Bundang mortgage loan sales, remarks about stronger property taxes, and policy clashes involving leveraged ETFs and supplemental investigative authority. The developments put market stress and political pressure side by side as the sell-off continued.2080
Lee Jae-myung2026-07-26 00:52:28Lee Jae-myung urges U.S. venture capital to expand investment in South Korea techSouth Korean President Lee Jae-myung said in San Francisco that cooperation between South Korea and the United States should move beyond the long-standing security alliance and extend into technology, innovation, and startups. Speaking at a “Silicon Valley Venture Capital Meetup,” Lee said the U.S. brings world-class venture capital capabilities and global networks, while South Korea offers technical strength, manufacturing competitiveness, and a startup ecosystem. He said combining those advantages could help produce the next generation of global innovators such as Samsung, Hyundai, SK, and Naver. Lee also called on U.S. venture capital firms to increase investment in South Korea. He said Seoul will improve its visa system, strengthen cooperation among domestic and overseas companies, research institutions, and investment organizations, and support Korean startups through coordination among fund-of-funds programs, a national growth fund, pensions, and private capital. Venture capital firms attending the event also signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea’s National Pension Service, according to Yonhap News Agency.1980
