South Korea’s Raon Accelerator Data Leak Went Undetected for Years

The Institute for Basic Science (IBS) Heavy Ion Accelerator Research Institute in South Korea has confirmed that 1,894 cases of data linked to the Raon heavy-ion accelerator were transferred outside the organisation. The material is estimated to include administrative and research documents relating to Raon, which was built with a state budget of 1.5 trillion Korean won. IBS reportedly confirmed the external transfer on 11 August, after the data was believed to have been leaked in 2022.

The suspected source is a former team leader responsible for device management in the Raon construction and establishment business unit. The individual, identified only as A, left the institute in July 2022. According to documents IBS submitted to Park Jeong-ha, a People Power Party lawmaker on the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, the institute remained unaware of the suspected leak for more than four years.

The supplied report does not state how the data was transferred, whether it has been accessed or published by others, or what remedial measures IBS has taken.