In brief
South Korea’s main opposition, the People Power Party, condemned the presidential office after a file containing personal data of President Lee Jae‑Myung and 167 aides was posted online. The party demanded an apology and accountability, while the ruling Democratic Party dismissed the criticism as politicization and urged calm. The presidential office confirmed measures were taken and police have launched a formal investigation.
South Korea’s main opposition party, the People Power Party (PPP), has blasted the presidential office for leaking confidential personal data of President Lee Jae‑Myung and his aides after a file containing 168 individuals was posted online in June. The file, reportedly detailing matters related to a presidential overseas trip, included Lee, his wife, security personnel, medical staff and other officials accompanying him.
PPP spokesperson Cho Yong‑sool described the incident as “a security disaster akin to leaving the door wide open to an enemy or a terrorist group.”
"The data leak of key information related to a presidential overseas trip to the public amounts to a security disaster akin to leaving the door wide open to an enemy or a terrorist group," Cho said in a commentary. "What is more concerning is that the identities of security personnel, medical staff and aides assisting the president were also exposed."
Cho called for President Lee to issue an apology for the presidential office’s “lax discipline” and urged authorities to hold those responsible accountable.
PPP leader Jang Dong‑hyeok echoed the criticism on Facebook, warning that penalties for personal data breaches should be severe enough to deter companies from neglecting security. He wrote, “It is now the presidential office’s turn to go down?”
In response, Democratic Party floor spokesperson Lee Ju‑hee accused the PPP of politicizing the breach. She urged the opposition to refrain from amplifying public anxiety and to wait for the results of the government investigation. Lee added that the government “immediately deleted the information posted on the website and took proactive measures to prevent further damage, including checking whether additional data has been leaked.”
The presidential office, known as Cheong Wa Dae, said it had taken necessary measures upon becoming aware of the leak. It also confirmed that police have launched a formal investigation into the incident.
While the PPP highlights the security implications of the leak, the Democratic Party frames the response as a routine corrective action. Both parties agree that an investigation is underway, but differ on the level of accountability the presidential office should face.
In related coverage, a government minister noted that South Korea is investigating an online leak of passport details belonging to President Lee Jae‑Myung and more than 160 other officials, suggesting a broader look at potential internal or automated security scans that may have caused the breach.
The incident underscores growing concerns over data protection in South Korea’s public sector, as the PPP urges stricter penalties and accountability. The Democratic Party, meanwhile, stresses the importance of measured response and the need to prevent panic amid ongoing investigations.
