SK Telecom (CEO Yoo Young-sang) is taking proactive measures to protect customers in relation to cyber-attack incidents, such as free SIM card replacement.

SKT announced on the 25th that it will implement enhanced customer information protection measures, including free SIM card replacement, starting on the 28th to address customer security concerns related to cyberattacks caused by malware.

SKT CEO Yoo Young-sang said at a customer information protection measures briefing held at the SK Telecom building in Euljiro, Seoul on this day, “I sincerely apologize to customers who trusted and used SK Telecom and to society for the great inconvenience and concern we have caused,” and “We will implement additional measures to provide free SIM card replacement to all SK Telecom customers if they so desire.”

This measure was prepared with the aim of alleviating customer anxiety as much as possible, following the previous implementation of the 'SIM Protection Service' and the strengthening of the Fraud Detection System (FDS) to block abnormal authentication attempts.

SKT will provide a free SIM card (including eSIM) replacement service to its customers starting at 10:00 AM on the 28th. This measure is being implemented for all customers who wish to replace their SIM cards, and will be carried out at T World stores and airport roaming centers nationwide.

If it is difficult to exchange on the same day due to the initial rush of customers, you can make a reservation at the store you visit and exchange the SIM card later. It is recommended that you visit with enough time to spare as exchanging the SIM card at the airport takes additional time.

SKT will also apply the free SIM card replacement service retroactively to customers who replaced their SIM cards at their own expense between the 19th and 27th, and will provide separate refunds for the fees already paid by customers.

In addition, the same measures will be applied to low-cost phone customers using SKT's network. Each low-cost phone company will announce the implementation period and method later.

SKT expects that if the free SIM replacement service is added to the enhanced abnormal authentication attempt blocking (FDS) and the 'SIM protection service' (free), which has virtually the same effect as SIM replacement, it will have an even safer customer protection effect.

Since the recent cyber breach, SKT has raised the standards for blocking abnormal authentication attempts to the highest level to prevent illegal SIM card duplication. In addition, real-time monitoring is also being continuously strengthened.

In addition, SKT is actively recommending the use of the ‘SIM protection service.’ 2.06 million new subscribers signed up over the past three days from the 22nd to the 24th (cumulative subscribers 2.4 million, as of midnight on the 25th)

In addition, SKT plans to enhance its services by May so that SIM card protection services can be used even while roaming.

SKT CEO Yoo Young-sang said, “SK Telecom places the highest priority on customer trust, and we will further strengthen our security system and establish measures to strengthen the protection of customer information.” He added, “Through this incident, we will once again be reborn as a company that is faithful to the basics and responsible.”