South Korea has announced a sweeping cybersecurity overhaul designed to strengthen the government’s ability to respond to data breaches and cyberattacks. The cybersecurity overhaul aims to grant authorities greater power to conduct immediate on-site inspections and impose stricter penalties on negligent companies.
The Office of National Security and multiple ministries, including the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Intelligence Service, unveiled the plan in Seoul on Wednesday. Officials said the cybersecurity overhaul would counter the recent surge in cyber incidents and rebuild public trust in digital security systems.
Under the new measures, the government will no longer wait for company reports before intervening. It will conduct unannounced on-site inspections whenever signs of a cyberattack appear. ICT Minister Bae Kyung-hoon emphasized that firms repeatedly involved in data breaches will face severe fines.
Moreover, the plan introduces random penetration tests across telecom and financial sectors. Regulators will remove unstable small cell base stations and revoke security certifications from companies that fail to meet safety standards.
In addition, authorities will conduct detailed inspections on more than 1,600 major IT systems, covering public institutions and private networks. The initiative seeks to reduce fragmented cybersecurity regulations and unify response protocols.
The government also plans to establish consumer protection mechanisms to assist victims of cyberattacks. It is considering a compensation fund financed by fines from data breaches. This fund would support individuals affected by unauthorized data exposure or financial fraud.
To reinforce accountability, CEOs will bear legal responsibility for corporate cybersecurity. Chief information security officers will gain stronger authority to implement defensive measures. Listed firms will need to disclose their cybersecurity spending, ensuring greater transparency for investors and regulators.
The government also intends to modernize outdated technical standards. It will promote advanced safeguards such as multi-factor authentication and AI-powered anomaly detection. By 2027, all IT suppliers to government agencies must provide detailed software component lists to ensure full system transparency.
The cybersecurity overhaul reflects South Korea’s growing urgency to address escalating digital threats. Officials believe the initiative will protect national infrastructure, strengthen trust in online systems, and ensure long-term digital resilience.
Analysts expect these new powers to enhance coordination between regulators and industries, marking a significant step toward comprehensive cybersecurity reform in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.
