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Personal data belonging to about 25,000 customers of “Shinhan Bank” were compromised in a cyberattack, Yonhap News reported on Thursday.
The bank said the leaked information included customers’ names, phone numbers and annual incomes. The breach occurred a day before the bank’s announcement.
South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service began an on-site investigation into the incident on Thursday. “Shinhan Bank” said it had taken emergency steps to limit potential harm from the leak.
South Korea tightens penalties for data leaks
The incident comes amid a series of personal data breaches in South Korea in recent months. Authorities increased penalties last month for those found responsible.
Under a revised Personal Information Protection Act, those convicted of leaking data relating to 10 million or more people could face fines of up to 10% of their total revenue.
In July this year, South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission fined telecom company “KT Corp.” about 54 billion won ($37.43 million) over a leak of customers’ personal information between 2024 and 2025.
Data breaches and industrial technology leaks
About 48 million people were affected by personal data breaches in South Korea last year, with incidents concentrated in the private sector, broadcaster “KBS” reported.
South Korea’s spy agency identified more than 100 cases of industrial technology being leaked overseas between 2021 and 2025. Of 107 cases, leaks involving the semiconductor sector accounted for nearly 40%, according to data submitted to parliament by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.
