[Breaking] Han Duck-soo Apologizes for 'Startup for All' Personal Information Leak, Vows Accountability

Han Duck-soo, the nominee for South Korean Prime Minister, issued a public apology for a significant personal information leak that compromised the data of 5,000 participants in the government-backed 'Modu-ui Chang-eop' (Startup for All) project.

“

I sincerely apologize to the users who have experienced worry and inconvenience due to the leakage of personal information from the Modu-ui Chang-eop platform.

"I sincerely apologize to the users who have experienced worry and inconvenience due to the leakage of personal information from the Modu-ui Chang-eop platform," Han stated while arriving at his confirmation hearing preparation office. He acknowledged the government's failure to protect the trust of those who participated in the startup initiative. The leaked information includes summaries of participants' startup ideas and their email addresses. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups confirmed that real names, mobile phone numbers, and detailed application information were not compromised.

Han emphasized that while the project was designed as a collaborative process, protecting citizens' personal information and trust is paramount. He assured that immediate security measures were taken upon discovery of the breach, and an investigation involving relevant agencies is underway to determine the cause, scope, and extent of the leak. To ensure objectivity and expertise, external security firms will also be involved in diagnosing the system and developing improvement plans.

“

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups confirmed that real names, mobile phone numbers, and detailed application information were not compromised.

The nominee stressed that protecting the victims and preventing further damage is the top priority. He also committed to a comprehensive review of the entire system, including oversight of external vendors and security vulnerability checks, to prevent similar incidents. The findings of the investigation will be transparently disclosed, and accountability will be strictly enforced.

“

Protecting the victims and preventing further damage is the top priority.

Recognizing the importance of entrepreneurship for economic growth and job creation, Han expressed concern that this incident should not deter young people's passion for starting businesses. He pledged to personally meet with participants to listen to their feedback and work towards rebuilding a fair and trustworthy program. "We will do our best to restore trust through thorough cause analysis and responsible follow-up measures," Han concluded.

“

We will do our best to restore trust through thorough cause analysis and responsible follow-up measures.