Seoul:President Lee Jae Myung has directed the government to allocate personnel and resources to mitigate the damage from recent hacking attacks targeting financial firms.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee issued this directive during a Cabinet meeting, highlighting that the breaches exposed customer information at seven companies, including major banks like Hana Bank, KB Kookmin Bank, and Shinhan Bank.

In response to the attacks, which reportedly involved the potential use of artificial intelligence (AI), President Lee emphasized the urgency of understanding the circumstances and focusing efforts on damage control. The police have begun an investigation into the cyber attacks, forming a 28-member team to examine potential violations of the information and communications network law.

President Lee urged heightened vigilance across government, business sectors, and society, as AI-driven hacking is expanding the impact of these attacks. He stressed the importance of proactive security measures to detect and prevent cyber threats before they occur.

To combat these evolving threats, Lee advocated for the accelerated development and adoption of AI tools specifically for cybersecurity purposes.

He also addressed the role of the newly established Serious Crime Investigation Agency, underscoring the need to pursue the truth in criminal investigations and avoid wrongful charges. Lee called for impartial investigations into criminal activities involving influential social elites.

Additionally, President Lee announced plans to bolster support for farming and fishing communities. He proposed expanding their income safety net with a 200 billion won (US$149 million) allocation from next year's budget, aiming to grow a fund that currently holds about 325 billion won. The government plans to contribute an additional 500 billion won to reach a total of 1 trillion won, thereby supporting regional development and reducing reliance on the capital area.