South Korea

Yonhap | English | News | Nov. 19, 2025 | Cyber Attacks and Data Loss

Hyundai Motor Group has established its first centralized cyberthreat response team to address rising cybersecurity risks across its various industrial sectors. The team, led by Yang Ki-chang, head of the group's Integrated Security Center, will manage vulnerability assessments, threat monitoring, and incident responses for all Hyundai affiliates. This initiative replaces the previous approach where individual units handled cyberattack responses separately.

The creation of this group-level team aims to prevent industrial hacking incidents, which have been prevalent recently in sectors such as telecommunications, from affecting Hyundai's affiliates. It also prepares the group for long-term cybersecurity risks associated with internet-connected electric vehicles. Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp., the group's primary automotive units, have significantly increased their cybersecurity investments, spending a total of 62.14 billion won (US$42.5 million) in 2025, marking a 46.1 percent increase from 2024.

Industry experts highlight that cyberattacks on connected cars could extend beyond vehicles to compromise related network systems, posing direct safety risks to drivers and pedestrians. As a result, enhancing cybersecurity for connected and electric vehicles has become essential for Hyundai Motor Group's ongoing product development and safety strategy.

카카오 4년만에 근로감독 착수…“성실히 협조”

Maekyung | Local Language | News | Nov. 19, 2025 | Regulatory Enforcement Actions

Kakao is undergoing a labor inspection by the Ministry of Employment and Labor for the first time in four years, following employee reports of excessive working hours during a major KakaoTalk overhaul. The inspection was initiated after the Kakao Union submitted a petition on September 15, alleging that employees worked beyond the statutory 52-hour weekly limit despite the company’s selective working hours system. The union also claimed that workplace harassment occurred as some executives pushed for a two-month advance project timeline.

The overhaul included significant changes to KakaoTalk, such as converting the Friends tab to a feed format, adding short-form content, creating a new "Now" tab, and introducing "ChatGPT for Kakao." The labor inspection will evaluate long working hours, the operation of the selective working hours system, vacation and holiday policies, workforce management, and potential violations including wage arrears.

In 2021, Kakao faced a similar petition-based inspection that revealed multiple violations of labor laws, such as employees working over 52 hours weekly, overtime work for pregnant employees, and delayed payment of overtime wages for resigned staff. Kakao has stated it will cooperate sincerely with the current inspection.

The IT industry in South Korea has been criticized for entrenched overtime practices tied to project deadlines and frequent service updates. Past investigations showed a majority of game company workers exceeded overtime limits. With Kakao under scrutiny, there are concerns that labor inspections may extend to other IT firms, including mid-sized companies and startups. Heightened competition to incorporate AI technologies is noted as a factor intensifying the long working hours culture.

Joongang Ilbo | English | News | Nov. 19, 2025 | Cyber Attacks and Data Loss

Hyundai Motor Group has established its first group-level cyberthreat response team in response to increasing cybersecurity risks across various industries. The new team, led by Yang Ki-chang, head of the group's Integrated Security Center, will manage vulnerability assessments, threat monitoring, and incident responses across all Hyundai affiliates.

Previously, individual Hyundai Motor Group units handled cybersecurity incidents independently, making this the first centralized effort to coordinate cyberdefense. The move aims to prevent the spread of industrial hacking incidents, which have recently impacted the telecom sector, from affecting Hyundai's subsidiaries and to prepare for long-term risks associated with internet-connected electric vehicles.

Hyundai Motor and Kia have significantly increased their cybersecurity investments, totaling 62.14 billion won ($42.5 million) in 2025, a 46.1 percent rise from the previous year. Industry experts emphasize that cyberattacks on connected cars pose risks not only to vehicles but also to related network systems, potentially endangering the safety of drivers and pedestrians, highlighting the growing necessity of automotive cybersecurity.