Fears of Fraud Surge After Coupang’s Massive Data Breach (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEJONG, Dec. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — A majority of South Koreans say they feel unsafe about the risk of personal data breaches, reflecting rising anxiety amid a surge in hacking incidents and expanding digital services, according to new government data.
The latest Social Survey from the National Data Office shows that 57.6 percent of respondents last year viewed personal information leaks as a major safety concern—the highest level among 11 surveyed categories. The proportion, which dipped slightly in 2022, jumped 4.4 percentage points amid frequent data-related accidents across online platforms and AI-based services.
Overall, 25.6 percent of South Koreans said society feels unsafe, while 28.9 percent said it feels safe and 45.6 percent rated conditions as average.
Concerns over data security are uneven across generations. People in their 30s expressed the highest level of anxiety (65.1 percent), followed by those in their 50s and 40s. Older adults over 60 and teenagers—groups with less exposure to online financial risks—reported lower levels of concern.
The findings come as South Korea experienced two of its largest-ever data breaches this year, at Coupang and SK Telecom, raising expectations that next year’s survey will show even greater unease.
Official records indicate that more than 300 data breach reports are filed annually. According to the Personal Information Protection Commission, 307 incidents were reported last year, with hacking accounting for 56 percent—up from the previous year—while breaches caused by human error and system failures declined.
As digital dependence deepens, analysts warn that public anxiety over data security is likely to intensify without stronger protections.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
