Cybersecurity Policy Report, South Korea to Inspect High-Risk System Data Security Measures, (May 12, 2026)
By Tony Foley
The South Korean Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) plans to inspect about 1,700 high-risk systems that process large-scale personal information in major public systems as part of its “Prevention-Oriented Personal Information Management System Transformation Plan.”
The plan was prepared to increase the level of personal data protection in South Korea and respond more effectively to large-scale data breaches, according to a press release from PIPC today. The agency outlined the contents of its plan, which include the following:
Strengthening sanctions for serious and repeat violations to improve deterrence, including fines of up to 10% of sales;
Expanding voluntary protection investment, accompanied by potential fine reductions for organizations taking preemptive protection measures, and establishing a risk-based management system;
Institutionalizing the principle of privacy by design so that it is reflected from the service planning and design stage;
Expanding dedicated public personnel and budgets in cooperation with relevant ministries and raising the overall level of protection through public-private cooperation and increased training; and
Modifying the legal damage compensation system to make companies liable for damages in the event of breaches, with the overall burden of proof borne by the company.
PIPC added that in the event of breaches of sensitive personal information, it will monitor whether such information is illegally distributed on social media or other channels and will assist in its detection and deletion, cooperating with investigative agencies to track and punish illegal dissemination.
"As with all accidents, once personal information is leaked, it is difficult to completely reverse the damage, and it takes a long time to recover,” said PIPC Chair Song Kyung-hee. "In the future, the Personal Information Commission will establish a system that can work well in addition to post-responsibility to protect people's information more safely and create an environment where the public can trust personal information."
News: InternationalLegislation DataSecurity DataBreach