South Korea considers updates to data and cyber laws - DataBreaches.Net

"Recent large‑scale data breaches across major sectors in Korea, including across the telecommunications, retail, and finance sector, have prompted swift and coordinated response from lawmakers and regulators. The National Assembly and relevant government agencies are advancing legislative amendments and updating regulatory measures to strengthen both the prevention of and the response to cybersecurity threats targeting critical networks and personal data."

"The Network Act applies to information and communications service providers ("ISPs"), a broad category that includes businesses that provide or mediate information through telecommunications networks, such as e‑commerce platforms, social media services, fintech operators, and mobile banking providers. The Ministry of Science and ICT ("MSIT") administers the Network Act. In parallel, the PIPA governs the protection of personal data and is overseen by the Personal Information Protection Commission ("PIPC")."

"The proposed amendments focus on two principal objectives: improving data protection and security governance, including the strengthening of information management systems, and enhancing the effectiveness of incident response, investigations, and sanctions in the event of security incidents."

South Korea's lawmakers and regulators are responding to recent large-scale data breaches by advancing legislative amendments and regulatory updates to strengthen cybersecurity protections. Two key statutes govern this area: the Network Act, administered by the Ministry of Science and ICT, which applies to information and communications service providers including e-commerce platforms, social media services, and fintech operators; and the Personal Information Protection Act, overseen by the Personal Information Protection Commission, which governs personal data protection. Although these frameworks have separate scopes and enforcement authorities, data breaches typically trigger obligations under both regimes. The proposed amendments focus on improving data protection and security governance through strengthened information management systems, and enhancing incident response effectiveness, investigations, and sanctions.

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