LG Uplus accused of hindering data breach probe by destroying critical server

SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT has requested a police investigation into LG Uplus over allegations that the company intentionally disposed of a key server linked to a customer data breach.

The ministry said the company discarded one of two APPM servers, which are critical for managing server account access and permissions, and submitted only the remaining server to a joint investigation team.

“Both servers are required for an accurate forensic analysis, but one has already been disposed of, making a thorough investigation difficult,” a ministry official said.

The case follows an August report by a U.S. security magazine, Frack, which said hacking activity had been detected on LG Uplus’s internal servers. At the time, the company said it found no evidence of intrusion.

However, it was later confirmed that the operating system of the APPM server had been reinstalled a day before the company issued its initial response.

The case has focused on whether sensitive customer data was leaked, and whether the company obstructed investigations by modifying or disposing of key digital evidence. Investigators said they have not ruled out the possibility of intentional destruction of evidence and have formally asked police to take over the case.

An LG Uplus spokesperson said it was “currently assessing the situation.”

* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.

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