NCSI :: Korea (Republic of)

32. Korea (Republic of) 68.83

32nd	National Cyber Security Index
4th	Global Cybersecurity Index
2nd	ICT Development Index
12th	Networked Readiness Index

Population		50.8million
Area (km2)		100.2thousand
GDP per capita ($)		41.2thousand

NCSI FULFILMENT PERCENTAGE

NCSI DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE 3 years All data

RANKING TIMELINE

NCSI Update		Data source
20 Sep 2021		Public data collection
6 Jan 2020		Government officials

Version 20 Sep 2021

GENERAL CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

1. Cyber security policy development 7/7 100%

7
7 100%
- 1.1. Cyber security policy unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  A central government entity (ministry or equivalent) has a specialised official or unit responsible for national cyber security policy development.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/admRulLsInfoP.do?admRulSeq=2000000100482
  
  The Director of the National Intelligence Service according to Article 5 of the National Cyber Safety Management Regulations
- 1.2. Cyber security policy coordination format 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The central government has a committee, council, working group, etc. for national-level cyber security policy coordination.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/admRulLsInfoP.do?admRulSeq=2000000100482
  
  Article 6 - National Cyber Security Strategy Meeting, supported by National Cyber Security Center (also referred to as the "Cyber Safety Center") according to Article 8 of the National Cyber Safety Management Regulations
- 1.3. Cyber security strategy 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The central government has established a national-level cyber security strategy or other equivalent document.
  Accepted references
  Valid official document
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.krcert.or.kr/filedownload.do?attach_file_seq=2162&attach_file_id=EpF2162.pdf
  
  The Blue House (the executive office and official residence of the President of South Korea) has established a National Cybersecurity Strategy in 2019.
- 1.4. Cyber security strategy implementation plan 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The central government has established an implementation plan to the national-level cyber security strategy or other equivalent document.
  Accepted references
  Valid official document or its enforcement act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.krcert.or.kr/filedownload.do?attach_file_seq=2137&attach_file_id=EpF2137.pdf
  
  Comprehensive Plan for Cyber security in the Private Sector
2. Cyber threat analysis and information 5/5 100%

5
5 100%
- 2.1. Cyber threats analysis unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  A central government entity has a national-level unit that is specialised in national strategic cyber threat situation analysis.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://elaw.klri.re.kr/kor_service/lawView.do?hseq=46968&lang=ENG
  
  The central government (Ministry of Science and ICT) and the executive organization (Korea Internet & Security Agency) are in charge of analyzing cyber threats in the private sector, by law. (Legal Basis: Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, Etc. Article 48-2)
  
  https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/admRulLsInfoP.do?admRulSeq=2000000100482
  
  The central government (National Intelligence Service's National Cyber Security Center) is in charge of cyber threat analysis in the public sector. (Legal basis: National Cyber Safety Management Regulations: Article 8)
- 2.2. Public cyber threat reports are published annually 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The public part of the national cyber threat situation analysis is published at least once a year.
  Accepted references
  Official public report
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.nis.go.kr:4016/AF/1_7_7_2.do
  
  The central government publishes National Cybersecurity White Paper every year.
- 2.3. Cyber safety and security website 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Public authorities provide at least one cyber safety and security website for cyber security and ICT professionals, and regular users.
  Accepted references
  Website
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.krcert.or.kr/main.do
  
  The Korea Internet & Security Agency operates a website for cyber safety and security.
3. Education and professional development 9/9 100%

9
9 100%
- 3.1. Cyber safety competencies in primary or secondary education 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Primary or secondary education curricula include cyber safety / computer safety competences.
  Accepted references
  Official curriculum or official report
  
  Evidence
  
  http://ncic.re.kr/english.kri.org.inventoryList.do#
  
  'Ethics for the cyber world' is taught to the 5th grade, and 'Security and sharing information' for ICT in the 8th grade.
  
  (To view the contents of the curriculum in the evidence link, in the right side menu select By Subject -> Practical Arts -> Practical Arts -> 2007 Revision -> Primary Secondary School -> 3. Contents -> 1) Content Structure)
  
  https://ijcses.org/index.php/ijcses/article/view/102/95
  
  Academic Article: International Trends in K–12 Computer Science Curricula through Comparative Analysis: Implications for the Primary Curricula
  
  Table 5 presents information about Korea and other countries.
- 3.2. Bachelor’s level cyber security programme 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is at least one cyber security / electronic information security focused programme at Bachelor’s or equivalent level.
  Accepted references
  Accredited study programme
  
  Evidence
  
  https://ukp.ac.kr/department/cit%EC%9C%B5%ED%95%A9%ED%95%99%EB%B6%80/%EC%BB%B4%ED%93%A8%ED%84%B0%EA%B3%84%EC%97%B4/%EC%82%AC%EC%9D%B4%EB%B2%84%EB%B3%B4%EC%95%88%ED%95%99%EA%B3%BC
  
  http://security.ewha.ac.kr/
- 3.3. Master’s level cyber security programme 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is at least one cyber security / electronic information security focused programme at Master’s or equivalent level.
  Accepted references
  Accredited study programme
  
  Evidence
  
  https://gsis.kaist.ac.kr/content?menu=157
  
  Master's programme offered at the KAIST Graduate School of Information Security.
  
  https://graduate.sjcu.ac.kr/graduate/cms/FR_CON/index.do?MENU_ID=510&CONTENTS_NO=4
  
  https://graduate.pcu.ac.kr/sub02/sub020308.html
- 3.4. PhD level cyber security programme 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is at least one cyber security / electronic information security focused programme at PhD or equivalent level.
  Accepted references
  Accredited study programme
  
  Evidence
  
  https://gsis.kaist.ac.kr/content?menu=127
  
  PhD programme offered at the KAIST Graduate School of Information Security.
  
  https://graduate.pcu.ac.kr/sub02/sub020308.html
- 3.5. Cyber security professional association 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a professional association of cyber/electronic information security specialists, managers or auditors.
  Accepted references
  Website
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.isaca.or.kr/main/index.asp
  
  ISACA Korea Chapter
  
  https://www.kisia.or.kr
  
  Korea Information Security Industry Association
  
  http://www.kiisc.or.kr/
  
  Korea Institute of Information Security and Cryptology
4. Contribution to global cyber security 5/6 83%

5
6 83%
- 4.1. Convention on Cybercrime 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country has ratified the Convention on Cybercrime.
  Accepted references
  Official website of the convention
  
  Evidence
- 4.2. Representation in international cooperation formats 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government is regularly represented in a cooperation format that is dedicated to international cyber security (e.g. FIRST).
  Accepted references
  Official website of the cooperation format
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.first.org/members/teams/#korea
- 4.3. International cyber security organisation hosted by the country 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  A regional or international cyber security organisation is hosted by the country.
  Accepted references
  Organisation’s official website
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.cybersec-alliance.org/camp/about.do
  
  The Korean government(Korea Internet & Security Agency) has initiated an International cyber security organisation, the Cybersecurity Alliance for Mutual Progress (CAMP), with the purposes of achieving sustainable benefits and serving as a platform where members prepare themselves with collective actions to keep cyberspace safe.
- 4.4. Cyber security capacity building for other countries 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country has (co-)financed or (co-)organised at least one capacity building project for another country in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Official website or project document
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.kisa.or.kr/eng/mainactivities/internationalCooperation_01.jsp
  
  The Global Cybersecurity Center for Development (GCCD), established in 2015, aims to share practical knowledge and support capacity building in the field of cybersecurity. In an effort to bring cooperation and knowledge sharing to a global level, the GCCD delivers a series of programs mainly for policymakers and experts in the public sector of developing countries. The GCCD programs will cover diverse issues from policy establishment to technical skills on Internet incident responses.

BASELINE CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

5. Protection of digital services 2/5 40%

2
5 40%
- 5.1. Cyber security responsibility for digital service providers 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  According to legislation, digital service providers (except micro and small enterprises): (1) must manage cyber/ICT risks or (2) must implement established cyber/information security requirements.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://elaw.klri.re.kr/kor_service/lawView.do?hseq=46968&lang=ENG
  
  Digital service providers are responsible for Cybersecurity by law. (Legal Basis: ACT ON PROMOTION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK UTILIZATION AND INFORMATION PROTECTION, ETC. Articles 45-47)
- 5.2. Cyber security standard for the public sector 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Public sector digital service providers must implement (1) cyber/ICT security requirements (defined by legislation) or (2) a widely recognised security standard.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/admRulLsInfoP.do?admRulSeq=2000000100482
  
  The National Intelligence Service distributes Cyber security standards for the public sector every year. Government agencies establish basic guidelines for information protection based on the relevant documents by law. (Legal basis: National Cyber Security Management Regulations Article 9)
- 5.3. Competent supervisory authority 0
  
  0
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has a competent authority in the field of cyber/information security that has the power to supervise public and private digital service providers regarding the implementation of cyber/information security requirements.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
6. Protection of essential services 1/6 17%

1
6 17%
- 6.1. Operators of essential services are identified 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a legal act that allows to identify operators of essential services.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_mobile/viewer.do?hseq=28812&type=part&key=43
  
  Article 7(2)1-4 of the Act on the Protection of Information and Communications Infrastructure
- 6.2. Cyber security requirements for operators of essential services 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  According to the legislation, operators of essential services must manage cyber/ICT risks.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 6.3. Competent supervisory authority 0
  
  0
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has a competent authority in the field of cyber/information security that has the power to supervise operators of essential services, regarding cyber/information security requirements.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
- 6.4. Regular monitoring of security measures 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Operators of essential services must regularly (at least once every 3 years) provide evidence of the effective implementation of cyber/information security policies (e.g. audit result, documentation, specific report).
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
7. E-identification and trust services 4/9 44%

4
9 44%
- 7.1. Unique persistent identifier 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government provides a unique persistent identifier to all citizens, residents, and legal entities. For example, the identifier remains the same after document expiration and name change.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawView.do?hseq=40157&lang=ENG
  
  Article 7 (3)
  
  Further explanations in Articles 7-2; 7-3; 7-4; 7-5
  
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resident_registration_number
- 7.2. Requirements for cryptosystems 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Requirements for cryptosystems in the field of trust services are regulated.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 7.3. Electronic identification 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Electronic identification is regulated.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawView.do?hseq=42625&lang=ENG
  
  Article 18-2
- 7.4. Electronic signature 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  E-signature is regulated
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawView.do?hseq=42625&lang=ENG
- 7.5. Timestamping 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Timestamping is regulated.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawView.do?hseq=42625&lang=ENG
  
  Article 20
- 7.6. Electronic registered delivery service 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Electronic registered delivery service between state entities, citizens and private sector entities is regulated. The service provides legally binding data exchange and guarantees the confidentiality and integrity of information.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 7.7. Competent supervisory authority 0
  
  0
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is an authority responsible for the supervision of qualified trust service providers.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
8. Protection of personal data 4/4 100%

4
4 100%
- 8.1. Personal data protection legislation 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a legal act for personal data protection.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawView.do?hseq=53044&lang=ENG
  
  Personal Information Protection Act
- 8.2. Personal data protection authority 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is an independent public supervisory authority that is responsible for personal data protection.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawView.do?hseq=53044&lang=ENG
  
  Personal Information Protection Commission (Article 7)

INCIDENT AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT INDICATORS

9. Cyber incidents response 3/6 50%

3
6 50%
- 9.1. Cyber incidents response unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has a unit (CSIRT, CERT, CIRT, etc.) that is specialised in national-level cyber incident detection and response.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://first.org/members/teams/kn-cert
- 9.2. Reporting responsibility 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Digital service providers and operators of essential services have an obligation to notify appointed government authorities of cyber security incidents.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 9.3. Single point of contact for international coordination 0
  
  0
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has designated a single point of contact for international cyber security coordination.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
10. Cyber crisis management 3/5 60%

3
5 60%
- 10.1. Cyber crisis management plan 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has established a crisis management plan for large-scale cyber incidents.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 10.2. National-level cyber crisis management exercise 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has conducted a national-level cyber crisis management exercise or a crisis management exercise with a cyber component in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.apcert.org/documents/pdf/APCERT_Annual_Report_2020.pdf
  
  Page 183 Item 4.2
- 10.3. Participation in international cyber crisis exercises 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country's team has participated in an international cyber crisis management exercise in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.apcert.org/documents/pdf/APCERT_Drill2020_Press%20Release.pdf
  
  APCERT Drill 2020
- 10.4. Operational support of volunteers in cyber crises 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The procedures for using volunteers in the field of cyber security are established by legislation.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
11. Fight against cybercrime 7/9 78%

7
9 78%
- 11.1. Cybercrimes are criminalised 1
  
  1
  1
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Cybercrimes are defined by legislation.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawView.do?hseq=49258&lang=ENG
  
  Criminal Law
  
  Article 141 (Invalidity of Public Documents, etc. and Destruction of Public Goods)
  
  Article 227-2 (False Preparation or Alteration of Public Electromagnetic Records)
  
  Article 232-2 (Falsification or Alteration of Private Electromagnetic Records)
  
  Article 316 (Violation of Secrecy)
  
  Article 347-2 (Fraud by The Use of Computer, etc.)
  
  Article 366 (Destruction and Damage, etc. of Property)
  
  https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawView.do?hseq=55570&lang=ENG
  
  Chapter X of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, Etc.
- 11.2. Cybercrime unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a government entity with a specific function of combatting cybercrime.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://cyberbureau.police.go.kr/eng/crime/sub_1.jsp
  
  https://cyber.go.kr/bureau/sub4_2.jsp
- 11.3. Digital forensics unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a government entity with a specific function of digital forensics.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.spo.go.kr/site/eng/01/10102000000002018120605.jsp
  
  Digital Forensic Division under Forensic Science Investigation Department
- 11.4. 24/7 contact point for international cybercrime 0
  
  0
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has designated an international 24/7 contact point for cybercrimes.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
12. Military cyber operations 3/6 50%

3
6 50%
- 12.1. Cyber operations unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Military forces have a unit (cyber command, etc.) that is specialised in planning and conducting cyber operations.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.kinu.or.kr/pyxis-api/1/digital-files/2d74ea3e-d29f-4bf2-b3a1-cd06a96e534d
  
  Cyber Command (page 45)
  
  There is also reports about a cyber-warfare unit.
- 12.2. Cyber operations exercise 0
  
  0
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Military forces have conducted a cyber operations exercise or an exercise with a cyber operations component in the country in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence
- 12.3. Participation in international cyber exercises 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country's military team has participated in an international cyber operations exercise in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence

Information Disclaimer

The information provided on the NCSI website is based on publicly available evidence materials. The appearance in the index and subsequent ranking is commensurate to the existence and public availability of such information. The NCSI links to third party websites and information. The NCSI and eGA are not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of third party website information.

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CONTRIBUTORS

YoungWook Park
Korea Internet & Security Agency

Tomoe Watashiba
Intern at e-Governance Academy

32. Korea (Republic of) 68.83

NCSI FULFILMENT PERCENTAGE

NCSI DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE 3 years All data

RANKING TIMELINE

Version 20 Sep 2021 Choose a version 20 Sep 2021 6 Jan 2020 29 Aug 2018

GENERAL CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

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BASELINE CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

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INCIDENT AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT INDICATORS

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Version 20 Sep 2021