SK Telecom Offers Free SIM Replacements to All Customers Following Data Breach

SK Telecom (SKT) has announced that it will provide free SIM card replacements—or software-based "SIM resets"—to any customer who requests one in response to a recent data breach that affected subscriber USIM data. The telco currently holds approximately 1 million replacement SIMs and expects to procure an additional 5 million by month's end, with more to follow based on demand.

To prevent store congestion, SKT has launched an online reservation system, enabling customers to book appointments at retail outlets. Those who purchased replacements out-of-pocket prior to this initiative will be refunded.

In addition to physical SIM replacements, SKT has activated a SIM Protection Service, designed to thwart unauthorized SIM swaps by linking each SIM to a specific device. The service has been extended to users of mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) as well.

A more streamlined solution, the SIM Reset, digitally refreshes user authentication on the existing SIM without wiping stored data. This allows subscribers to retain contacts and service access without needing a replacement.

This initiative underscores SKT's broader effort to respond to the data breach, which exposed key USIM credentials—including IMSI and authentication keys—to unauthorized parties. The company's leadership emphasized strong apologies and pledged accountability as part of its remediation efforts.