Seoul Moves to Bolster Cybersecurity With First-Ever Citywide Ordinance (Image supported by ChatGPT)
SEOUL, June 6 (Korea Bizwire) — In a bid to strengthen its defenses against rising cyber threats, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has announced its first-ever ordinance dedicated to cybersecurity, marking a significant step beyond previous administrative regulations.
On Thursday, the city officially unveiled a draft of the Seoul Cybersecurity Ordinance, elevating its current cybersecurity protocols to a legally binding framework. Once approved by the Seoul Metropolitan Council, the ordinance will provide the legal foundation for a more robust and coordinated response to hacking attempts and digital intrusions.
The ordinance mandates that the mayor and heads of all affiliated agencies be held accountable for safeguarding their digital domains from cyberattacks and threats. It also requires them to establish and oversee dedicated cybersecurity teams, allocate sufficient personnel and budget, and appoint cybersecurity officers at each institution.
Covered under the ordinance are Seoul’s main administrative offices, affiliated public enterprises, investment-funded institutions, district offices, and legislative bodies.
To ensure continuity and strategic direction, the mayor must also formulate a Cybersecurity Master Plan every five years. This comprehensive blueprint will outline security goals, policy direction, international threat trends, responses to emerging technologies, and the development of cybersecurity professionals.
The ordinance also includes provisions for:
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Establishing an expert advisory committee on cybersecurity;
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Conducting annual cybersecurity audits across all agencies;
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Operating a city-run Security Operations Center (SOC) for real-time threat monitoring;
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Forming emergency response units to minimize damage from cyber incidents.
The move comes amid growing concerns over the city’s vulnerability. In February 2025, hackers—suspected to be from North Korea—compromised Seoul’s citizen email platform, using it to distribute phishing emails. The attack sparked criticism over Seoul’s digital defenses.
Further raising alarms, Seoul received the lowest rating—“inadequate”—in the 2024 National Cybersecurity Evaluation conducted by the National Intelligence Service, prompting an urgent review of the city’s digital resilience.
“The increasing sophistication of cyberattacks, fueled by AI and cloud technologies, demands a future-ready and trustworthy security framework,” the city said in a statement. “Through this ordinance, Seoul aims to ensure uninterrupted public service and a more secure digital environment.”
The ordinance is expected to go into effect following approval by the city council.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
