South Korean megachurches targeted in suspected AI-powered cyberattacks

SEOUL — Two prominent South Korean megachurches have launched investigations into cyberattacks that potentially exposed confidential data belonging to hundreds of thousands of congregants, raising fresh concerns about the vulnerability of major religious institutions to digital threats.

According to statements from the affected churches and independent cybersecurity analysts, the breach appears to have involved artificial intelligence tools that were deployed to facilitate the attack. The use of such advanced technology signals a more sophisticated approach than typical cybercriminal activity, marking a troubling trend in how digital threats are evolving across the region.

The churches have not disclosed the exact nature of the personal information that may have been compromised or provided specific details about the number of individuals affected. However, given the size of these institutions and their extensive membership networks, the potential scale of the data exposure is considerable.

The incident underscores growing risks facing large organisations in South Korea and across Asia as cybercriminals increasingly leverage artificial intelligence to circumvent security defences. Religious institutions, despite their prominence, have historically been less fortified against digital attacks compared to corporate entities or government agencies.

Both churches have engaged cybersecurity firms to conduct comprehensive forensic investigations and strengthen their digital infrastructure against future intrusions. The findings are expected to inform broader discussions about data protection standards for large membership-based organisations in the region.