Personal Information Protection Commission

Press Release

The Personal Information Dispute Mediation Committee Holds Plenary Meeting to Initiate Collective Dispute Mediation Regarding SKT’s Data Breach

- Two collective dispute mediation cases launched; remaining cases to follow after revision and supplementation

- Mediation proceedings to be suspended during the PIPC’s investigation and sanction process

- Additional recruitment and mediation procedures to resume promptly thereafter

June 19, 2025

(This is an unofficial translation of a press release, originally prepared in Korean.)

The Personal Information Dispute Mediation Committee (DMC) held a plenary meeting to resolve the commencement of two collective dispute mediation cases against the recent data breach involving SK Telecom Co., Ltd. (SKT) on June 19, 2025.

However, the DMC resolved to pursue the commencement announcement and additional recruitment of the data subjects affected by SKT’s data breach after the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) announces the investigation and sanction results. Article 49-2 of the PIPA stipulates that the DMC may commence, by its resolution, collective dispute mediation proceedings.

Disputes have arisen after SKT’s data breach, which resulted from hackers’ attack against SKT’s home subscriber server (HSS). The attack resulted in leaks of customers’ universal subscriber identity modules (USIMs). 

The DMC has received four applications for collective dispute mediation. However, additional applications may be made in the future, given the unfolding circumstances. In this context, the DMC decided to inform potential applicants of the overall application status and carry out additional recruitment of applicants collectively following the PIPC’s announcement of its investigation and sanction results. 

The DMC plans to commence remaining dispute mediation cases once the ongoing document supplementation is completed. Pursuant to Article 28 of the DMC Operation Rules, which allows for temporary suspension of mediation proceedings in cases under investigation, the DMC decided to temporarily halt ongoing dispute mediation until the PIPC’s investigation process is finalized.

Acting Chairperson Woo Jisuk of the DMC stated, “The DMC will make every effort to safeguard the rights and interests of data subjects and pursue practical and timely remedies through prompt and efficient dispute mediation.” 

Individuals wishing to apply for dispute mediation can do so via the DMC’s website, by writing, or by mail. For more information, please visit the website: www.kopico.go.kr or contact 1833-6972.

* A PDF file, formatted for better readability, is attached.