Police search post office employee accused of handing customer data to revenge-for-hire group

Police have launched a compulsory investigation into a post office employee accused of passing customer information to a revenge-for-hire organization.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's major-crimes investigation unit searched a post office in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, on Aug. 18, along with the mobile phone of a male team leader in his 40s who works there.

The employee allegedly leaked customer addresses and other personal information learned through his work to two members of the organization. Police suspect he used PostNet, the internal logistics network, to extract the data and are investigating the precise route of the alleged leak.

Logistics staff can reportedly enter a customer's name or registered-mail number into PostNet to view information including a home address and telephone number. The case is being investigated as a potential violation of South Korea's Personal Information Protection Act.