Lee: "Cybersecurity Must Be Completely Overhauled for the AI Era... Speed Is Essential"

President Lee Presides Over Cabinet Meeting
Recent Data Leaks at Financial and Public Institutions
"Post-incident Response Has Its Limits... Immediate Review of Core National Systems Needed"
To the Serious Crime Investigation Agency: "Inves

President Lee Jae-myung stressed on October 6 that hacking threats using artificial intelligence (AI) are rapidly becoming more sophisticated, saying, "It is time to completely overhaul our society's security paradigm to fit the AI era." He also called on the recently launched Serious Crime Investigation Agency and Public Prosecution Agency to transform themselves into strictly impartial investigative and prosecution bodies, free from political influence.

President Lee Jae-myung speaks at the Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House on October 6, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Presiding over a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House on this day, President Lee raised the issue of a series of recent personal data leaks at financial and public institutions. He stated, "Given that there is evidence of AI being used in some hacking incidents, public concern and anxiety are extremely high," highlighting the need for a new approach to security.

President Lee noted, "Now, even individuals without special technical abilities can easily carry out hacking by leveraging AI," and instructed the relevant authorities to quickly and clearly ascertain the causes of the incidents and to mobilize all necessary personnel and resources to minimize any damage.

He particularly diagnosed that the traditional 'post-incident response' method is no longer effective against evolving cyberattacks. President Lee stated, "We must equip ourselves with the security capabilities to detect threats in advance and block them proactively," urging, "I ask that not only the private sector but also the national core systems undergo prompt security checks and that any required supplementary measures be implemented immediately."

He went on to emphasize, "Speed is of the essence. The pace of technological advancement is so rapid that it is difficult to keep up, which is precisely why we must strengthen our capabilities and respond with even greater speed." In this context, he stressed the need to develop and disseminate AI technologies specialized in cybersecurity, enhance advanced security infrastructure, and reinforce security awareness.

President Lee also called for the Serious Crime Investigation Agency and the Public Prosecution Agency to make their utmost efforts to ensure strict accountability for criminal acts and prevent unjust harm to victims. "I have always remembered the adage that it is better to let ten criminals go than to wrongfully accuse a single innocent person," he said. "Investigation and prosecution agencies, which possess tremendous power that should be used to protect the public, must never create or allow injustice against individuals."

He again voiced strong criticism about past abuses of prosecution power. President Lee said, "Prosecutors wielded immense authority, from investigation and prosecution to keeping charges and carrying out sentences, but at some point, this power began to be abused, culminating in the state wrongfully accusing individuals of crimes they never committed," and he added, "Never again should investigative and prosecutorial functions be abused or manipulated by political power."

He demanded that the Serious Crime Investigation Agency conduct what he called 'no-sanctuary investigations.' "There are times when the public suspects that those with power or wealth are shown leniency," President Lee remarked. "As the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, I ask you to strictly and meticulously investigate the crimes of powerful social elites and the well-educated and wealthy, without a moment's hesitation, regardless of political alignment. Any case that raises public doubts should be thoroughly investigated so these suspicions can be completely dispelled," he said.

President Lee Jae-myung is entering the Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House on October 6, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

President Lee also reaffirmed his intention to expand support for rural and fishing communities. He praised the contribution of farmers and fishermen, noting that the cumulative export volume between January and September this year surpassed 800 billion dollars, signaling that the era of 1 trillion dollars in annual exports is within reach. "Farmers and fishermen are the people who must not be forgotten in the process of writing the new legend of exporting Korea," he emphasized.

Originally aiming to raise 1 trillion won, the Agricultural and Fishing Village Win-Win Cooperation Fund currently reached only 325.5 billion won. President Lee announced the government will provide fiscal support, stating his plan to allocate 200 billion won in next year's budget, add 500 billion won in the future, and thus secure over 1 trillion won for the fund. He described this as "a very small step toward restoring public trust in the government."

Along with this, President Lee called for the innovation of the distribution system for agricultural, livestock, and fisheries products and strengthening of the rural income safety net. He said, "I will ensure an end to the abnormal phenomenon in which prices plummet in producing regions while retail prices in cities remain the same or even increase," adding, "I hope the support for rural incomes will not be misunderstood as mere handouts or wasteful government spending."

Meanwhile, regarding the National Assembly's regular audit of the administration that begins today, President Lee urged the government to actively cooperate. Citing the example of 309 institutional and policy improvements completed after repeated points raised in the National Assembly audits over the past five years, he said, "Please carefully review the issues raised at this year's audit and actively accept whatever can help address shortcomings in government operations." He also called on the National Assembly to "avoid baseless fake news and unproductive political offensives, and strive to meet public expectations through constructive criticism and responsible alternatives."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.