Archive · 6 Oct 2026
South Korea Investigates Possible AI Use in Bank Hacks
South Korean banks have been hit by hacking attempts, and some customers’ personal information was exposed.
President Lee Jae Myung said there are signs that AI may have been used in some attacks.
He asked officials to quickly find out what happened and reduce the harm.
Police are investigating.
Reports name Shinhan Bank, KB Kookmin Bank, Hana Bank and Woori Bank.
Financial watchdogs shared information about 28 unique IP addresses linked to the attempts.
Officials have not said which AI tools may have been involved or how many people were affected.
Lee also called for stronger ways to protect against cyberattacks in the AI era.
President Lee Jae Myung said signs suggest AI may have been used in some recent bank hacking incidents.
Police are investigating attacks on commercial banks that exposed customers’ personal information.
Shinhan Bank and KB Kookmin Bank reported cyberattacks; reports also named Hana Bank and Woori Bank as suffering breaches.
The Financial Supervisory Service and Financial Security Institute shared data on 28 unique IP addresses and some country information linked to the attempts.
Authorities have not disclosed which AI tools were involved or the full scale of the breaches; Lee called for swift investigation and stronger AI-era cyber defences.
- Who
- President Lee Jae Myung, South Korean police, financial regulators and banks named in reports.
- What
- Police are investigating bank hacking incidents involving customer personal information; officials say AI may have been used in some incidents.
- When
- Lee spoke on Tuesday, October 6; the articles do not specify the year.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- To establish what happened, limit harm and strengthen cybersecurity as AI-related risks emerge.
Evidence of AI involvement
Limits of confirmed information
Whether AI was used
Evidence of AI involvement
President Lee said signs had emerged that AI was used in some hacking incidents.
Limits of confirmed information
Authorities have not disclosed what AI tools were involved, and the reports do not establish the full details of AI’s role.
Extent of the breaches
Evidence of AI involvement
Reports say attacks exposed customers’ personal information and name several banks.
Limits of confirmed information
Authorities have not disclosed the full scale of the breaches.
- Investigation
- Police have launched a full-scale investigation into attacks on commercial banks.
- Possible AI involvement
- Lee said signs had emerged that AI was used in some hacking incidents.
- Banks named
- Reports identified cyberattacks or breaches involving Shinhan Bank, KB Kookmin Bank, Hana Bank and Woori Bank.
- Data exposure
- The attacks led to a breach of customers’ personal information.
- IP address information
- The Financial Supervisory Service and Financial Security Institute shared data on 28 unique IP addresses and some country information linked to the attempts.
- Emergency meeting
- Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Eog-weon convened a meeting on Sunday with industry associations, regulators and affected institutions.
- Undisclosed details
- Authorities have not identified the AI tools or disclosed the full scale of the breaches.
Sources
South Korea's President flags AI-linked bank hacks, orders probe and stronger cyber defences - Telegraph India
South Koreas Lee says AI appears to have been used in bank hacks
South Korea's Lee says AI appears to have been used in bank hacks
