South Korea Arrests Seven in First Big AI-Assisted Hacking Case

Seoul police have arrested seven individuals concerning a hacking operation that utilized generative AI.

This operation targeted approximately 90 entities, including hospitals, schools, and various companies, resulting in the theft of 8.2 million records. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced this case on Monday, labeling it South Korea’s first large-scale AI-assisted hacking arrests.

The alleged leader, a 32-year-old with no IT background, reportedly taught himself hacking using YouTube and online blogs. He introduced an AI coding agent and an autonomous penetration-testing tool in late August.

Police stated that this individual breached 60 companies within a 44-day span, specifically between August 31 and October 13. The autonomous tool was identified as Artex.

Victims were sent emails demanding a combined 360 million won, which equates to roughly $272,000. However, only 300,000 won, approximately $210, has been confirmed as a payment.

The campaign itself operated for about 13 months, starting in September 2025 and continuing through October, with the case initiated in June after a complaint was filed by one victim.

The leader faces charges under South Korea’s information and communications network law, alongside extortion and attempted extortion, having been referred to prosecutors on Friday. Police continue to investigate the six accomplices and seek to find more affected organizations, with 15 entities having reported damages thus far.