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Cybersecurity watchdog faces work force shortage, lawmaker says

Published: 05 Oct. 2025, 10:26

Rep. Kim Jang-kyom of the People Power Party explains the agenda during a petition review at the National Assembly in western Seoul on Sept. 10. [YONHAP]

Korea's cybersecurity watchdog is facing a work force shortage amid the soaring number of cyber threats reported by local businesses, a lawmaker said Sunday.

Citing data submitted by the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA), Rep. Kim Jang-kyom of the People Power Party said the watchdog received 1,887 reports of security breaches from Korean companies in 2024, up 47 percent from a year earlier.

During the January-August period of 2025, the number of breach reports stood at 1,501, the data showed.

Despite the surge in cyberattacks reported by businesses, the number of response personnel came to just 132, up only nine from 2022.

Over the same period, Korea's budget for hacking and virus response systems rose 22 percent to 73.6 billion won ($52.4 million), according to the lawmaker.

“The fact that the number of investigators at KISA increased by a single digit over the years indicates the country lacks readiness against such threats,” Rep. Kim said.

Yonhap