(LEAD) Lee orders review for establishment of cybersecurity task force

SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung ordered officials on Tuesday to consider setting up a dedicated cybersecurity task force to bolster online security amid a surge in hacking incidents targeting financial institutions. This directive came after a series of cyberattacks on prominent financial firms, including Mirae Asset Global Investments, Bithumb, and Daishin Securities, resulting in the exposure of sensitive customer data.

The president's remarks also stemmed from the high-profile hacking of Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, where over US$6 billion worth of cryptocurrency was stolen. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has since implicated North Korea as the perpetrator behind the cybertheft.

Lee emphasized the urgent need for a "comprehensive prevention system" against cybersecurity threats, stating that the frequency and complexity of these attacks have reached a point where they pose a significant risk to the nation's economy, security, and daily life. He acknowledged the rapid advancement of hacking techniques, which have been exacerbated by the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI), rendering existing security measures insufficient.

In response, the president called for an intergovernmental agency responsible for overseeing cybersecurity efforts across both public and private sectors. He specifically directed officials to explore the formation of a "cybersecurity czar agency" capable of providing robust oversight and management of security measures.

Furthermore, Lee instructed officials to address shortcomings in cybersecurity infrastructure among major state institutions and critical state infrastructure, such as information communications technology, energy, and finance sectors. He also advocated for expedited deliberations on curbing adolescents' usage of social media services, citing the potentially detrimental impact these platforms can have on young users.

The government has been actively pushing for restrictions on social media sign-ups by teenagers and the prohibition of certain algorithm-based services. Kim Jong-cheol, chairman of the Korea Media and Communications Commission, was tasked with leading discussions on this matter, aiming to finalize the plan in the first half of next year, incorporating public feedback.