Nominee for Prime Minister Han Sung-sook Apologizes for Startup Platform Data Leak

Han Sung-sook, the nominee for prime minister and current minister of SMEs and Startups, issued a public apology today for a significant data breach affecting the government's startup support platform, 'Modu-ui Chang-up' (Startup for All).

The incident involved the leakage of personal information, including emails, business ideas, and evaluation feedback, belonging to approximately 5,000 applicants. Standing before the press, Han bowed her head and read a statement expressing deep regret. "As the minister of the responsible ministry, I feel a heavy responsibility for failing to protect the trust of those who challenged entrepreneurship with faith in the government," she stated.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups confirmed that immediate security measures were taken to block external access upon discovering the breach. An investigation involving relevant agencies is underway to determine the cause, the extent of the leak, and the scope of the damage. The ministry also plans to conduct a security assessment with external experts and implement improvements.

Minister Han pledged a comprehensive review of personal information protection and security management systems in light of this incident. She also committed to strengthening oversight of external contractors and enhancing security vulnerability checks. The results of the investigation will be transparently disclosed to the public, and strict measures will be taken against any illegal activities or accountability issues.

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As the minister of the responsible ministry, I feel a heavy responsibility for failing to protect the trust of those who challenged entrepreneurship with faith in the government.