In brief
A computer file that listed 168 individuals, including President Lee Jae‑Myung, his wife, and aides, was posted online in June, sparking criticism from South Korea’s main opposition People Power Party (PPP) who called it a security disaster. The ruling Democratic Party (DP) rebuts the claim, urging calm and citing steps already taken to address the leak. Police have opened a formal investigation into the incident.
The allegation that the presidential office released a file containing personal data of 168 people, including President Lee Jae‑Myung, his wife, and several aides, has sent shockwaves through South Korean politics. The file was posted on a public website in June amid a presidential overseas trip, and the People Power Party (PPP) has denounced the act as a “security disaster.”
People Power Party spokesperson Cho Yong‑sool said the leak was “akin to leaving the door wide open to an enemy or a terrorist group,” and called for a presidential apology and accountability. PPP leader Jang Dong‑hyeok echoed the call, warning that the penalties for personal data breaches must be “tough enough so that companies fear being run out of business.” The PPP has portrayed the incident as evidence of lax discipline within the presidential office.
In contrast, the ruling Democratic Party (DP) accused the PPP of politicizing the breach and inflaming public anxiety. DP floor spokesperson Lee Ju‑hee noted that the government had immediately deleted the information and taken “proactive measures to prevent further damage,” including a check for additional leaks. The DP urged the opposition to “wait for the results of the government investigation” and to focus on preventing future incidents rather than making the event a political spectacle.
The Cheong Wa Dae office has stated it has taken “necessary measures” after becoming aware of the leak, and police have launched a formal investigation into the incident. No official estimate of how or why the file was uploaded to the public domain has yet been released.
While the PPP insists that the leak represents an unprecedented breach of security, the DP maintains that steps have already been taken to mitigate any damage. The outcome of the ongoing police inquiry will likely shape the next phase of political rhetoric and policy responses surrounding data protection in South Korea.
