The South Korean government has issued a cybersecurity alert to 6,000 companies, including tech giants Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix Inc., following a major hacking incident at SK telecom Co. and growing concerns about potential cyberattacks ahead of the upcoming presidential election.

According to industry sources on Sunday, the Ministry of Science and ICT sent an official letter on Thursday titled “Strengthening Cyber Threat Response” to companies across sectors such as finance, manufacturing, energy, telecommunications, and cultural content. It urged them to inspect their networks for 12 types of malware identified in the SK telecom breach.

The ministry warned that “cyberattacks exploiting both security vulnerabilities and the political climate are expected to increase,” calling for enhanced monitoring and preventive measures.

The Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) had already shared threat information via its cybersecurity portal, but the ministry escalated the response with a direct appeal to the private sector.

An official from the ministry stated that nearly all large and mid-sized firms were asked to review their cybersecurity defenses, excluding only startups. Companies were encouraged to consult the malware details posted on the portal and check their systems for signs of infection.

Science and ICT Minister Yoo Young-im recently called for stronger governance, stating during a briefing last Friday, “Any cyberattack during the election season—whether on public, military, or private entities—could trigger national chaos. Now is the time for a nationwide cybersecurity upgrade.”

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