South Korea warns of AI use in recent bank cyberattacks

President Lee Jae Myung has flagged concerns that artificial intelligence may have played a role in recent cyberattacks targeting South Korean banks, signalling a new frontier in financial sector security threats. The revelation comes as the country grapples with increasingly sophisticated digital attacks on its critical infrastructure.

In response to the incidents, Lee called for immediate development of advanced cybersecurity protocols specifically designed to counter AI-enabled threats. The president's comments underscore growing worries among policymakers that traditional security measures may prove inadequate against threats leveraging machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities.

South Korea has long been a target for cyberattacks, with the nation's advanced digital infrastructure and prominent financial institutions attracting attention from threat actors globally. The apparent use of AI in recent banking sector breaches represents a notable escalation in attack sophistication and capability.

The government is expected to accelerate initiatives aimed at modernising the country's cybersecurity framework to address emerging threats in an increasingly AI-driven threat landscape. Experts warn that financial institutions across Asia-Pacific may face similar risks as attackers adapt their methods to exploit new technologies.