South Korea investigates hacks and possible AI use

South Korean police have opened an investigation into cyberattacks on financial companies after President Lee Jae Myung said artificial intelligence may have been used in some incidents and ordered officials to determine what happened and limit the damage. The attacks exposed customer information at several institutions, but investigators have not established whether AI was involved or identified those responsible. Lee made the remarks at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, October 6, amid reports of breaches affecting banks and other financial firms. He directed the government to act swiftly, dedicating personnel and resources to containing the impact. Police said they had begun investigating the attacks. The available reports do not provide technical findings confirming AI use. The Financial Services Commission was cited as saying that more than 68,000 people were affected. Separately, bank-specific figures reported for named institutions include about 25,000 people whose personal credit information was leaked at Shinhan Bank, 89 affected customers at Hana Bank, and 99 customers and 20 current or former employees at Kookmin Bank.