Seoul: The science ministry announced on Monday that a security breach at KT Corp. resulted in unauthorized mobile payments due to inadequate management of femtocells, which are small base stations used in homes or businesses.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Ministry of Science and ICT published an investigation report following the security breach reported by KT Corp., South Korea's second-largest mobile carrier. The breach involved unauthorized micropayments amounting to 243 million won (US$169,000) and impacted 368 users. The report highlights the vulnerability in the management of femtocells as the primary cause of the security lapse.

KT Corp.'s femtocells, designed to enhance mobile coverage at the local level, were identified as a weak point in the network's security infrastructure. The Ministry's findings have raised concerns over the security protocols in place for these devices and their potential susceptibility to exploitation.

The Ministry has urged KT Corp. and other mobile carriers to strengthen their security measures to prevent similar breaches in the future. The incident has brought attention to the need for rigorous management and security oversight in the deployment of network equipment like femtocells.