'USIM Hacking' 235 SKT Users, 1 Million Won Compensation per Person

[Financial News] In relation to the SK Telecom (SKT) USIM information hacking incident, 235 affected users have filed a compensation lawsuit against SKT.
Law Firm Daeryun announced on the 27th that they held a press conference at 10 AM at the East Building of the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, and filed the first compensation claim. The claim amount is 1 million won per person, and the second lawsuit will be filed until the 30th. They plan to continue filing complaints as more applicants are secured.
Daeryun explained the basis for the calculation of the claim amount per person, saying, "In lawsuits against large corporations, huge compensation is awarded, but in reality, our courts usually assess compensation for mental damage quite low," and "If SKT's illegality is revealed, the compensation amount will be raised to a level that large corporations cannot bear, so that the public receives sufficient compensation, which is the purpose of this lawsuit."
In this lawsuit, Daeryun claims that SKT violated personal information protection obligations, failed to report the breach incident, and committed breach of contract and illegal acts. They particularly pointed out that SKT, despite being the number one telecom company, did not invest sufficiently in information protection and failed to make appropriate reports even after the breach incident occurred.
The biggest issue in the future lawsuit is expected to be proving whether SKT, as the personal information processor, had intent or gross negligence.
Daeryun stated, "SKT is likely to argue that if excessive compensation is recognized despite the lack of proven actual damage, it could ultimately harm other subscribers who did not file lawsuits through increased telecom fees," and "SKT's criminal liability and gross negligence are expected to be revealed through police investigations and the Personal Information Protection Commission's investigation into the information leakage and initial response."
Daeryun has formed a special task force for this case, led by Jo Young-gon, a former chief prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, and including lawyers such as Yeo Sang-won and Son Gye-jun.
At the press conference, Lawyer Jo stated, "This lawsuit is not just for a few plaintiffs," adding, "The reality of personal information being leaked without any prior warning is a problem faced by the entire nation, and urgent public corrective action is needed."
He further explained, "South Korea is still a country where class action laws have not been introduced," and "Despite the extremely inefficient structure where individual lawsuits must be filed for each victim, Daeryun has chosen the path of general civil litigation."
Previously, on the 1st, Daeryun filed a complaint against SKT CEO Yoo Young-sang and the security officer for charges including breach of duty and obstruction of official duties by deception.
 


scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter