South Korea investigates reported leak of presidential passport data
The reported data included passport details for 168 people, including the president and security staff.
Tuesday 3 November · 18:01 · 1 min read
In 30 seconds
- South Korea’s KBS reported that passport information for President Lee Jae-myung and 167 others appeared on a paid website. [1][2]
- The document was reportedly posted in early June and included passport numbers and personal details. [1][2]
- South Korean authorities said they were examining the case and considering urgent action. [1][2]
What happened
South Korean broadcaster KBS reported that passport details for President Lee Jae-myung and 167 other people were posted on a paid website in early June. The reported list included security personnel and national security adviser Wi Sung-lac. The presidential office said it was examining the case, while Kampuchea Thmey reported that the foreign ministry had opened an urgent investigation.
Why it matters
Passport numbers and identifying details can expose people to identity misuse. The reports say it is not yet clear who accessed the posted file or how it was uploaded.
Background
The document was reportedly titled “passenger list” and appeared ahead of Lee’s June trip to Europe. The reported information included names, workplaces, birth dates, passport numbers and passport issue and expiry dates.
Key terms
- Passport data
- Personal information printed in or linked to a passport.
Timeline
- Early June 2026 The reported passenger-list file was posted on a paid website.
- November 2, 2026 KBS reported that the passport information had been exposed online.
- November 3, 2026 Kampuchea Thmey reported that South Korea’s foreign ministry had begun an urgent investigation.
Sources (2)
[1] Kampuchea Thmey កូរ៉េខាងត្បូង បើកការស៊ើបអង្កេតធំ ក្រោយធ្លាយទិន្នន័យលិខិតឆ្លងដែនប្រធានាធិបតី និងក្រុមអង្គរក្ស 3 Nov Read original [2] DAP News ទូរទស្សន៍ KBS៖ ព័ត៌មានលម្អិតក្នុងលិខិតឆ្លងដែន របស់ប្រធានាធិបតីកូរ៉េខាងត្បូង ត្រូវបានបែកធ្លាយនៅលើអ៊ីនធឺណិត 3 Nov Read originalWas this explainer clear?
AI can make mistakes. Error reports go straight to our editors.
