Politics · South Korea · 1 hr ago
South Korea's president asks officials to consider a national cyber security body
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for a powerful national cyber security body at a cabinet meeting in Seoul on Tuesday.
He said cyber attacks now threaten daily life, the economy and national security.
His remarks followed a hack at Binance in which $6.3 billion in crypto was taken on Oct.
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US investigators and other authorities have pointed to North Korea as being behind the attack.
Lee said security efforts should detect and respond to threats early, rather than focus mainly on checks and action after an attack.
He also urged stronger protections for public services and key sectors including communications, energy and finance.
Officials are to consider a cross-government body to coordinate cyber security, but no decision or timetable was announced.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called on officials to consider creating a powerful body to coordinate cybersecurity functions across government.
Lee said the current system, focused on inspections and responses after attacks, has clear limitations.
He called for a preventive approach to protect public services and critical infrastructure.
Lee also urged discussion of a government-wide body spanning the public and private sectors.
His remarks followed a reported multibillion-dollar theft from cryptocurrency exchange Binance.
- Who
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called on officials to consider the proposal.
- What
- He urged consideration of a powerful cybersecurity body to coordinate security functions across government and spanning public and private sectors.
- When
- November 3, 2026.
- Where
- At a cabinet meeting in Seoul.
- Why
- Lee said the existing system focused on inspections and after-the-fact responses has clear limitations, and called for preventive protection of public services and critical infrastructure.
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- Proposal
- A powerful body to coordinate cybersecurity functions scattered across agencies
- President
- Lee Jae Myung
- Meeting date
- November 3, 2026
- Reported Binance theft
- US$6.3 billion in cryptocurrency
- National Intelligence Service inspections
- More than 2,100 government ministries, local governments and public institutions
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What people are saying
The existing security system, which centres on inspections and after-the-fact responses, is showing clear limitations
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.