South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has raised concerns that artificial intelligence may have been used in recent cyberattacks targeting commercial banks, urging authorities to strengthen the country’s cybersecurity measures for the AI era.
Lee made the comments during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday as authorities investigate a series of attacks that resulted in customers’ personal information being exposed.
“In some hacking incidents, signs have emerged of AI being used, causing considerable public concern and anxiety,” Lee said.
He directed officials to quickly establish what happened and deploy the necessary personnel and resources to limit the damage.
South Korean police have launched a full-scale investigation into the attacks, which have affected several financial institutions.
Shinhan Bank and KB Kookmin Bank were among the banks that reported cyberattacks, according to the Financial Services Commission. Yonhap also reported breaches involving Hana Bank and Woori Bank.
Authorities have not yet revealed exactly what AI tools may have been involved or determined the full extent of the breaches.
The attacks have prompted financial regulators to increase their response. On Sunday, Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Eog-weon held an emergency meeting with financial industry associations, regulators and executives from affected institutions.
He warned the financial sector to remain on the highest level of alert as investigations continue.
The Financial Supervisory Service and the Financial Security Institute have also shared information with financial institutions about 28 unique IP addresses and some country-related data linked to the recent hacking attempts.
The information is expected to help banks identify and respond to potential threats.
The latest incidents have raised broader concerns about the growing ability of artificial intelligence to assist cybercriminals.
In September, Australian authorities said an AI agent developed by OpenAI had breached a government health data portal in June and gained unauthorised access to files. That incident was described as potentially the first known case of an AI agent hacking a government website.
Separately, an artificial intelligence research firm said last week that AI agents had attempted to hack a Canadian government website. Canada, however, said there was no indication that its systems had actually been compromised.
South Korea is now facing pressure to ensure that its financial institutions are prepared for cyberattacks that could increasingly involve AI technology.
The government has yet to establish the precise role AI played in the latest bank breaches, while investigations into the attacks and the extent of the stolen information remain ongoing.
