PM vows strict action in case of legal violations in Coupang data breach
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok speaks during a state policy meeting at the Government Complex Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok vowed Wednesday to take strict action in case violations of the law are found in the recent massive data breach at e-commerce giant Coupang.
Kim made the remark at a state policy meeting amid an ongoing investigation into the leak of the personal information of nearly 34 million customers, including names, addresses and phone numbers.
"The Coupang issue has gone beyond the level of serious," he said during the meeting at the government complex in Seoul. "The government will conduct a swift and accurate investigation into the cause of the accident and take strict measures against any violations of the law."
The prime minister also unveiled plans to require labeling on artificial intelligence (AI)-generated material in response to what he described as the rapid spread of false and exaggerated advertising using AI.
"Because some of them abuse generative AI and other new technologies, we believe they not only disrupt the market order but are serious crimes causing large damage to consumers," he said.
In addition to labeling, the government plans to shorten deliberation periods before correcting false advertising, sharply raise fines and implement the punitive damages system, he said.
On Korea's hosting of the 48th annual session of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee in Busan next July, Kim called on relevant agencies and the metropolitan government to prepare thoroughly, saying it will be an occasion to reaffirm the importance of preserving a nation's cultural heritage and the government's role in passing it down to future generations.