Science minister vows punitive fines against companies with repeated security breaches
Published: 12 Dec. 2025, 15:51
![President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a policy briefing session with the Ministry of Science and ICT held in the central city of Sejong on Dec. 12. [YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2025/12/12/5426c6db-06f7-430a-a386-df4f0b83dd19.jpg)
President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a policy briefing session with the Ministry of Science and ICT held in the central city of Sejong on Dec. 12. [YONHAP]
Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon said Friday the government will seek to introduce punitive fines on businesses with repeated data breaches amid growing concern over personal information security.
Bae made the remark during the Ministry of Science and ICT's policy briefing to President Lee Jae Myung in the central city of Sejong.
"We aim to establish a stern responsibility-based system by imposing punitive fines on businesses that suffer repeated security breaches," Bae said.
"The government will bolster its data security capability and stand with the people to launch an all-out war against hacking attacks," he added.
The plan came in the wake of data breaches reported by businesses this year, including cases at SK Telecom, KT and e-commerce giant Coupang, affecting most Koreans.
On the global race for leadership in the AI sector, the science minister said the country will work to develop one of the world's top 10 AI models next year.
The model will be released as open source for use in areas such as defense, manufacturing and culture, he added.
Bae noted the ministry will implement the so-called K-Moonshot project, which will center on research initiatives that carry high risks but are vital for the country's future.
"We will make efforts to secure core technologies in areas including humanoids, next-generation chips, rare earth materials and affordable clean energy, which are regarded as sectors with high risks but significant potential outcomes once successful," he said.
The government will additionally invest a separate 5.9 trillion won ($4 billion) in strategic areas, including bio, quantum and nuclear fusion projects, while accelerating their commercialization, according to the minister.
Yonhap
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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