Seoul: SK Telecom Co. announced on Friday that it will temporarily halt new subscriber sign-ups starting next week as part of its strategy to bolster customer protection services following a recent data breach involving its network.

According to Yonhap News Agency, SK Telecom's decision comes after a government-issued administrative guidance order requiring the suspension of new sign-ups until the company resolves its current shortage of universal subscriber identity module (USIM) cards and implements stronger customer data protection measures. The company, which holds the position as the largest mobile carrier in South Korea with 25 million subscribers out of a national population of 50 million, identified a cyberattack on April 18, uncovering signs of a significant leak of customer USIM data.

In a press briefing, Chief Executive Officer Ryu Young-sang stated, "From May 5, our 2,600 retail stores will halt new subscriptions and focus on replacing universal subscriber identity module (USIM) cards." He emphasized that this suspension will continue until SK Telecom can effectively address the USIM supply shortage.

To mitigate potential damage, SK Telecom is offering free USIM chip replacements to all its customers. However, the replacement services have been disrupted due to a limited supply of USIM cards and high demand from worried users. The company's move to suspend new sign-ups is a critical step in its efforts to manage the situation and ensure enhanced security measures are in place.