SMEs minister apologizes for 'Modoo's Startup' data breach, vows thorough investigation

Minister of SMEs and Startups Han Sung-sook issued a formal apology Monday over a personal data breach involving the government's Modoo's Startup platform, pledging a thorough investigation and measures to prevent a recurrence.

Speaking to reporters as she arrived at her confirmation hearing preparation office at the Financial Supervisory Service Training Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Han said she was "sincerely sorry to users who have experienced worry and inconvenience due to the personal data leak from the Modoo's Startup platform." She added: "We failed to protect the trust of those who believed in the government and took on the challenge of starting a business. As the minister of the responsible agency, I feel the weight of this responsibility deeply and am profoundly sorry."

Han said the platform was conceived as "a project built together in progress, not a finished product," but said "no policy objective can take precedence over the responsibility to protect people's personal information and trust."

She said the ministry would make protecting potentially affected users its top priority, swiftly implement necessary measures to prevent further harm, and put in place safeguards to ensure that entrepreneurs' ideas are protected.

Han described entrepreneurship as "a vital youth policy and national imperative," saying it represents "a challenge to build the future through one's own ideas and potential, and a source of new businesses, jobs and fresh growth engines for our economy." She said the incident must not dampen young people's passion and determination to start businesses.

Han said she would "take another look to ensure that those who dream of starting a business do not hesitate to take on new challenges," and pledged to meet directly with Modoo's Startup participants to hear their criticism and suggestions. "I will rebuild it as a fair and trusted program in which the public can participate with confidence," she said.

"I once again offer my deepest apologies to the public and will do my utmost to restore trust through a thorough investigation into the cause and responsible follow-up measures," Han said.