Two caught hacking KT, selling data

Police said yesterday they have arrested two people for allegedly hacking into the network system of KT, South Korea’s No. 2 mobile carrier, and selling the data.

The suspects were accused of leaking personal information of about 8.7 million mobile phone subscribers from February until recently, the National Police Agency’s cyber terror response Center said.

Seven others were booked on charges of buying the leaked data for telemarketing purposes.

The number of KT subscribers accounts for nearly half of the total mobile phone users in Korea, which is one of the most wired countries in the world.

Police suspect the telemarketers used the data, which contained personal information of subscribers, their phones and monthly plans, to contact customers whose contracts are close to expiration or considered likely to change phone plans.

Officials estimate the suspects earned at least 1 billion won ($877,000) from the illegal marketing.

KT apologized over the hacking incident, saying it has restored the leaked personal information and taken necessary steps to prevent further leakage.

Yonhap