South Korean President Lee calls for national cybersecurity czar after massive Binance hack
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has urged the creation of a powerful government-wide cybersecurity authority to coordinate defenses across public and private sectors, pointing to AI-driven threats and a recent multibillion-dollar breach at Binance.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has called for the appointment of a national cybersecurity czar and the formation of a powerful government-wide agency to confront escalating digital threats, according to reports by Reuters, Coindesk, and crypto.news. Lee proposed establishing a central authority empowered to coordinate cyber defense operations across government institutions and private enterprises.[1][2][3][5]
The push comes in the wake of a reported $6.3 billion hack targeting cryptocurrency exchange Binance, alongside a wider wave of cyberattacks against major corporations and financial institutions. Lee warned that existing after-the-fact response models are no longer sufficient, noting that advances in artificial intelligence are making modern cyber strikes increasingly difficult to detect and contain across critical infrastructure.[1][3][4][5]
In response to the heightened threat environment, South Korea's intelligence agency has initiated emergency security reviews covering more than 2,100 institutions. Meanwhile, the call for a dedicated coordinator has prompted debate over how a new agency would operate alongside South Korea's established national security apparatus, The Korea Herald reported.[3][4]
Key facts
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for the creation of a powerful government-wide agency and a national cybersecurity czar.
- The proposal was made following a reported $6.3 billion hack on cryptocurrency exchange Binance and cyberattacks on major companies and financial institutions.
- Lee warned that artificial intelligence is making cyberattacks harder to detect and contain, rendering reactive security responses inadequate.
- South Korea's intelligence agency has launched emergency security audits across more than 2,100 institutions.
- The proposal has raised questions regarding what a new coordinator could achieve beyond existing South Korean security agencies.
Sources · 5 sources
- CO
CoindeskArticle ·
South Korea's president says country needs a ‘cybersecurity czar’ following $6.3 billion Binance hack Lee Jae Myung said he wants a government-wide agency to tackle cyberattacks as AI raises security concerns across financial institutions and critical infrastructure.
Open source - RE
Reuters@ReutersPost on X ·
South Korea's Lee calls for powerful government-wide cybersecurity body https://t.co/cVUEa8M4Nl
Open source - CB
Crypto Banter@crypto_banterPost on X ·
🚨SOUTH KOREA’S PRESIDENT CALLS FOR CYBERSECURITY “CZAR” AFTER BINANCE HACK! Lee Jae-myung referenced the recent multibillion-dollar @binance theft and urged the creation of a powerful government-wide body to coordinate security functions across public and private sectors, @Reuters reports. He said the current after-the-fact approach is no longer enough. South Korea’s intelligence agency has already started emergency checks on over 2,100 institutions.
Open source - TK
The Korea Herald 코리아헤럴드@TheKoreaHeraldPost on X ·
President Lee Jae Myung has called for a powerful national cybersecurity coordinator following a wave of cyberattacks on major companies and financial institutions, raising questions about what a new authority could accomplish beyond South Korea's existing security agencies. https://t.co/TbvhirNq4m
Open source - CN
crypto.news@cryptodotnewsPost on X ·
JUST IN: South Korea’s president calls for a national cybersecurity chief after the $6.3B Binance hack Lee Jae Myung wants a central authority with power to coordinate cyber defense across government agencies and private businesses, warning that AI is making cyberattacks harder to detect and contain.
Open source

