Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 1 hr ago
South Korea agency renewed contract with firm linked to farmer data leak
South Korea’s Rural Development Administration renewed a contract with a company linked to a major personal data leak.
The company, Miso Tech, had provided services to the agency, which oversees agricultural development.
A hack exposed data on more than 575,000 people, including farmers’ names, contact details and farm-related information.
South Korea’s privacy watchdog fined both the agency and the company, and the company was barred from bidding on public contracts from December to March.
The agency signed a 14.6 billion won contract extension in January, while the bidding ban was in effect, without adding new security safeguards, according to information provided to lawmaker Lee Seong-gwon.
Lee also said the company had won more than 30 billion won in agency and affiliate work over 12 years, and called for stronger government oversight and prevention measures.
South Korea’s Rural Development Administration renewed a contract with a firm responsible for a leak of personal data belonging to about 575,000 farmers, a lawmaker said.
The agency signed the 1.46 billion won contract in January while the firm was barred from bidding on public contracts.
The renewed contract had the same terms as the previous year and added no new safeguards against another security incident.
The Personal Information Protection Commission fined the agency 168 million won and the firm 82.5 million won, and fined the firm an additional 4.5 million won.
The lawmaker also said the firm had won more than 30 billion won in work from the agency and its affiliated bodies over 12 years.
- Who
- South Korea’s Rural Development Administration and Misotech Co. are involved. The allegations were reported by lawmaker Lee Seong-gwon.
- What
- The agency renewed a contract with a firm responsible for a personal-data leak affecting about 575,000 farmers, without adding security safeguards.
- When
- The agency renewed the contract in January 2026. The leak was confirmed in April 2025.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The agency confirmed that about 575,000 records had been leaked after receiving notice from the National Intelligence Service.
The Public Procurement Service barred the firm from bidding on public contracts.
The agency signed a second-year contract with the firm on the same terms as the first year.
The Personal Information Protection Commission fined the agency and the firm over the incident.
- Records leaked
- About 575,000
- Renewed contract
- 1.46 billion won
- Agency fine
- 168 million won
- Firm fines
- 82.5 million won fine and 4.5 million won administrative fine
- Contract awards over 12 years
- More than 30 billion won
1 source
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What people are saying
The government must conduct a comprehensive review of personal information management at public institutions and correct lax discipline through more thorough prevention of poor management and heavier accountability.