Analysis: South Korea's diplomacy hides cyber security weaknesses

Cyber security in South Korea is a growing concern and can't always be covered by deft diplomacy

Event or Trend: The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) ranking of South Korea in Tier 1 of the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) hides the lack of a comprehensive cyber security culture among the wider population.

Significance: Cyber security in Korea is of growing concern as the nation becomes increasingly digitalized and vulnerable to sophisticated cyber attacks. Despite the strong technological infrastructure and the promotion of cyber security diplomatic cooperation, public awareness regarding cyber threats remains low.

The issue is critical because it exposes not only individuals but also businesses, government agencies, educational institutions and critical infrastructure to potential cyber attack. A lack of public understanding of basic cyber security practices, such as recognizing phishing attempts, maintaining strong passwords, or safeguarding personal data, amplifies vulnerabilities. This limited awareness poses a direct risk to Korea’s national security and economic …