Seoul: South Korea’s cybersecurity watchdog is grappling with a workforce shortage as local businesses report an increasing number of cyber threats, a lawmaker has revealed. According to data provided by the Korea Internet and Security Agency (KISA), Rep. Kim Jang-kyom of the main opposition People Power Party disclosed that the agency received 1,887 reports of security breaches from South Korean companies in 2024, marking a 47 percent increase from the previous year.
According to Emirates News Agency, the data showed that during the January-August period of 2025, the number of breach reports reached 1,501. Despite the growing number of cyberattacks reported by businesses, the response personnel count increased by only nine since 2022, totaling 132 individuals.
Alongside these developments, South Korea’s budget for hacking and virus response systems rose by 22 percent, reaching 73.6 billion won (US$52.4 million), as per the lawmaker’s information. Rep. Kim expressed concern, stating, “The fact that the number of investigators at KISA increased by a single digit over the years indicates the country lacks readiness against such threats.”