South Korea's Lee Seeks Cybersecurity Body to Guard Critical Systems

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has called for a new government-wide cybersecurity organisation to strengthen the country's defences against rising cyber threats.

The proposed body would bring together responsibilities currently handled by different government agencies and improve the protection of public services and critical infrastructure.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting on November 3, Lee said South Korea needed to move beyond its current approach of checking security systems and responding after attacks occur. He called for stronger preventive measures to identify threats early and stop attacks before they cause serious damage. His comments come as cyberattacks targeting financial institutions and digital asset platforms raise concerns about the country's cybersecurity preparedness.

• South Korea's Lee Proposes New Cybersecurity Body to Protect Critical Infrastructure
• South Korea Plans Central Cybersecurity Authority Amid Rising Cyber Threats
• Lee Calls for National Cybersecurity Chief to Strengthen South Korea's Digital Defences

Lee Calls for Stronger National Cybersecurity System

Lee said the government needed a central authority to oversee cybersecurity efforts across different departments. He asked officials to consider creating a powerful leadership position, similar to a national cybersecurity chief, who could coordinate security policies and responses.

The proposed organisation would bring together security responsibilities that are currently divided among several agencies. Lee also called for closer cooperation between government departments and private companies, as cyberattacks increasingly affect both public institutions and businesses.

He said South Korea needed a stronger system to protect essential services and critical infrastructure, including communications networks, energy facilities and financial institutions.

The president also highlighted how cyberattacks are becoming more advanced and difficult to detect. He said the government should focus on identifying potential weaknesses, sharing information between agencies and responding quickly to emerging threats rather than relying mainly on security inspections.

His comments come at a time when South Korea is facing growing concerns over cyber incidents, particularly those involving financial institutions. Recent attacks have raised questions about the safety of customer information and the ability of companies to protect their digital systems.

South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) has also started emergency cybersecurity inspections covering more than 2,100 central government ministries, local governments and public institutions.

Binance Hack Adds to Growing Security Concerns

Lee also referred to the recent cryptocurrency theft involving Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, as an example of the growing risks facing the digital finance industry.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has blamed North Korea for the attack. However, Lee did not directly name Pyongyang when discussing the incident. North Korea denied involvement on November 3.

North Korean-linked hacking groups have previously been accused of targeting cryptocurrency exchanges, banks and government systems. These incidents have increased pressure on South Korea to improve its cybersecurity measures and work more closely with international partners.

The growing use of digital services has also made cybersecurity protection a major concern for governments and businesses. Attacks on financial networks, public infrastructure and technology systems can interrupt essential services, expose personal information and cause financial losses.

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A central cybersecurity organisation could help South Korea coordinate its response more effectively and improve communication between government agencies and private companies. However, the government has not yet announced details about how the proposed organisation would operate or when it could be established.

Lee's proposal highlights South Korea's growing focus on cyberattack prevention rather than simply responding to them. The government is expected to consider stronger security measures as it works to protect public institutions, businesses and the country's increasingly digital economy.