Latest news with #TWorld
Korea Herald
11-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
SK Telecom debuts USIM reset tech without chip swap
Korea's top mobile carrier SK Telecom said Sunday it is introducing the new USIM reset solution that allows users to update specific USIM authentication data without physically replacing the chip. The technology alters part of the user identification and authentication information stored on the chip, leaving other user-saved data, such as mobile contact lists, prepaid transportation cards like T-money and mobile certificates, untouched. Unlike traditional USIM swaps, it eliminates the need to reconfigure financial authentication certificates. Available to both USIM and eSIM users, the reset process simplifies security management while minimizing user inconvenience. The service will be available at SK Telecom's T World stores for customers who receive a notification message regarding a USIM replacement. Starting Monday, the company will increase scheduling notifications for users who have prebooked a USIM chip replacement, as inventory supplies improve. SK Telecom also said that for customers who wish to switch to a physical USIM chip following a reset, the company will offer one free exchange at any T World store nationwide. Meanwhile, SK Group is taking steps to overhaul its cybersecurity infrastructure, with plans to launch a new in-house committee. The group reportedly discussed the direction and structure of the upcoming committee during a recent meeting of its strategy and globalization committee, chaired by Chey Chang-won, the head of the group's highest decision-making body, SK Supex Council. The move follows Chairman Chey Tae-won's public apology at Wednesday's press conference, in which he vowed to 'conduct a full-scale review of security systems across all SK affiliates and expand investment in cybersecurity infrastructure.' During the conference, he also pledged to form a committee involving external experts 'to ensure an objective and neutral approach to system improvement.' The committee will be formed under the guidance of the Supex Council and is expected to consist of internal and external experts. The council is composed of top executives from SK's major affiliates and oversees group-wide strategic and operational plans. Currently, the Supex Council operates eight subcommittees, including those focused on strategy and globalization, environmental business, ICT, talent development, communication, social value, governance and semiconductors.
Korea Herald
02-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
SKT freezes new sign-ups, toughens consumer protection amid hacking fallout
SK Telecom said Friday it will suspend new subscriber sign-ups at its retail stores starting from Monday, to expedite USIM card replacements and to enhance customer protection in the fallout of a massive data leak from a recent hacking incident. In a press briefing at the company's headquarters in downtown Seoul on Friday, CEO Ryu Young-sang announced that all 2,600 T World stores nationwide will halt receiving new subscriptions so the company can focus on replacing compromised USIM cards. It will also stop mobile number portability services, which allows users to switch mobile network providers while retaining their phone number, until the USIM shortage eases. Additionally, SK Telecom said it will compensate for losses incurred by the T World stores during this replacement period. As for the detailed compensation plan, Ryu said it will be implemented after consulting with dealers. 'When looking at the distribution network, 350 of the 2,600 T World stores are directly operated by SK Telecom, and the rest are authorized dealerships. They are also small and-medium-sized enterprises, so asking them to stop taking new subscriptions could be a huge loss,' said Ryu. However, the latest service halt does not extend to third-party retailers and online distributors, which are not under direct contract with the company. The latest action is in response to the government's guidance issued the previous day, instructing SK Telecom to suspend new subscriptions until it resolves the USIM shortages for existing users and implement stronger corrective actions in response to the data breach. SK Telecom, the country's largest mobile carrier with 25 million subscribers, serving nearly half of Korea's population, disclosed that it had experienced a cyberattack and subsequent data breach of customers' USIM data on April 18. In response, the telecom giant said it removed the malware, isolated affected servers and enhanced security measures. The company began offering free USIM chip replacements to all users on April 28, but it has been challenged due to overwhelming demand and a supply crunch, causing long lines at retail stores and system outages on its online reservation site due to high traffic. The company has about 1 million USIM cards in stock, with plans to secure around an additional 5 million this month and another 5 million in June. Amid the slow USIM swap rollout, the company said it will automatically enroll all customers into its USIM Protection Service without requiring a separate application. The company asserts that the USIM Protection Service effectively blocks the use of illegally cloned USIM cards on other devices, providing the same level of protection as physically replacing the USIM. As of Friday, 14.42 million people had joined the protection service, leaving out some 8.5 million others. The system can handle up to 1.2 million enrollments per day. The company plans to complete the process by May 14, with priority given to subscribers aged 75 or older and those with disabilities. Following the hacking incident, SK Telecom is experiencing a massive user exodus to its main rivals, KT and LG Uplus. According to the Korea Telecommunications Operators Association on Friday, more than 237,000 customers had switched from SK Telecom to other carriers, including KT and LG Uplus, in April alone, an 87 percent increase from March. Amid growing calls to waive early termination fees for users, Ryu said the issue is still under review. 'The penalty fee is such a critical matter that the CEO cannot unilaterally decide, but must be approved by the board,' he said. 'We plan to have a board of directors discussion as soon as the internal legal review is completed.'
Korea Herald
25-04-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
SK Telecom to offer free USIM replacement to all customers after network hacking incident
SK Telecom Co., South Korea's leading mobile carrier, said Friday that it will offer free universal subscriber identity module replacements to all customers, following a recent network hacking incident involving the potential leak of subscriber information. SK Telecom Chief Executive Officer Ryu Young-sang made the announcement during a briefing in Seoul on the hacking incident that occurred last Friday. "We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and concern this incident has caused to our customers and the public. As a precautionary measure, we will offer free USIM replacements, including eSIMs, to any customer who requests one," Ryu said. The replacement service will begin at 10 a.m. Monday. Customers who were subscribed as of last Friday, when the company identified signs of a security breach, can receive replacements at the company's T World stores nationwide and airport roaming centers. SK Telecom previously confirmed that a malicious code installed by hackers had led to a suspected leak of USIM-related data. The USIM, which stores personal authentication information used to access mobile networks, can be exploited to allow criminals to clone users' identities or intercept text messages. The company said it is taking the matter seriously and will continue to enhance its data protection measures as investigations proceed. (Yonhap)
