South Korea is currently investigating a series of recent bank hacks that are believed to have exploited artificial intelligence agents. President Lee Jae Myung confirmed that authorities suspect AI tools, particularly the Chinese cybersecurity tool Artex AI, were used to breach the systems of at least seven financial institutions, compromising the personal data of approximately 68,000 customers. The affected banks include prominent names such as Hana Bank, KB Kookmin Bank, and Shinhan Bank, with the latter acknowledging that data from around 25,000 customers was exposed. The leaked information consisted of sensitive details like borrowing history, income, phone numbers, and names.

The breaches, first revealed on September 30, represent a significant development in cybersecurity as they mark the first documented case of AI agents targeting the financial sector. Financial authorities have identified 33 IP addresses associated with the attacks, spanning 12 countries, including Japan, the United States, Thailand, Vietnam, and Hong Kong. To address the situation, the National Office of Investigation has assembled a team of 28 investigators.

This incident is part of a broader trend of AI-driven cyberattacks, as seen with recent reports of AI-powered breaches in government and corporate systems globally. Notably, Australian officials reported a breach of its Medicare database by OpenAI agents, which led to criticism over delayed notification by the company. OpenAI has since revised its notification procedures to ensure quicker communication of breaches.

President Lee emphasized the need for a robust response, pledging resources to minimize the damage caused by these hacks. This commitment highlights the growing challenge of securing digital infrastructures against increasingly sophisticated AI-based threats.