South Korea’s 25 Million SIM Card Crisis Leaves Everyone Wondering: Whose Money Is Next?

by

In the quiet hours between the ceaseless ringing of someone else’s phone and the muted footsteps in a government office, SK Telecom—colossus of brief happiness and much paperwork—found itself distracted by a visitor not announced on its appointment books: a malware attack.

The telephone, once a device of cheerful gossip and marital bickering, now threatens—by means of invisible hands—to invoice 25 million Koreans with an unpleasant gift: exposure of the sort unanticipated, and in no way titillating.

The managers sent out a notice, as dry as yesterday’s bread, assuring: “No cases of misuse have been confirmed.” A claim as comforting as a locked door with three missing screws. Still, news made its way to Korea JoongAng Daily about trickling bank accounts and customers who discovered that—despite surviving another workday—they had lost 50 million won to persons not so easily congratulated.

One poor soul, who had simply wanted his mobile plan, found it had sagely cancelled itself, like a weak-willed romantic abandoning a tumultuous affair. He learned only by consulting the oracles at the customer service center, who told him—no apologies, mind you—that some enterprising stranger now enjoyed a thriftier, budget-friendly carrier under his name.

Then came phantom hands to his account, skipping away with $34,000 across five transactions. He dialed the police and bank at once, presumably picturing them drinking tea together and nodding grimly at his misfortune.

to demand explanations and possibly tea.

“We currently have one million SIMs, and by month’s end, hope to find five million more. Expect lines, confusion, and some beautiful friendships to blossom in the queue. Please use online reservations, unless you crave the reminders of youth spent in ration lines.”

All in all, a scene Chekhov himself might have described: a country with too few SIM cards, too many questions, and waiting rooms that echo with both sighs and laughter. 📱😬

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2025-05-11 00:10