South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called on Tuesday for a government-wide cybersecurity body to coordinate agencies and strengthen defenses, pointing to limitations in the current system’s capacity to protect critical systems, Reuters reported.
Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, Lee urged officials to shift toward preventing cyberattacks.
The existing security system, which centers on inspections and after-the-fact responses, is showing clear limitations, Lee said.
Lee argued that artificial intelligence (AI) is making hacking more sophisticated and widespread, Yonhap News Agency reported.
He also highlighted the significance of strong cybersecurity capabilities alongside advances in semiconductors and AI for the digital economy.
Important Read: Binance restores Ethereum withdrawals for five tokens after $6.3 billion hack
Binance theft heightens security concerns
Lee’s remarks followed recent hacking cases involving South Korean financial firms, including Bithumb, Daishin Securities, and Mirae Asset Global Investments, Yonhap News Agency reported.
He also referred to the multibillion-dollar theft affecting Binance, but did not directly name North Korea.
In an October 31 alert, the FBI attributed the theft of more than $6 billion from Binance to North Korea’s TraderTraitor operation. Pyongyang denied involvement on Tuesday.
Separately, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service has launched emergency security inspections covering more than 2,100 central ministries, local governments, and public institutions, Reuters reported.
Lee seeks coordinated cyber defenses
Lee has urged officials to consider an organization that covers the public and private sectors.
There is also a need to discuss setting up a government-wide task force that spans both the public and private sectors. I ask that you actively consider forming a powerful and effective cybersecurity ‘tsar’ body that can oversee and coordinate security functions that are currently scattered, Lee said.
According to an official government briefing, the president also called for earlier detection of attack signals, faster warning sharing, and stronger protection for telecommunications, energy, and financial infrastructure.
The request remains a proposal.
Lee instructed officials to examine the coordinating body, without announcing that it had been established.
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