SK Telecom rejected a settlement proposal from a government-affiliated consumer agency to pay 100,000 won ($69.40) per person to 58 petitioners over a personal data breach, claiming the total cost could reach 2.3 trillion won (approximately $1.6 billion USD). The company submitted its decision in writing to the Consumer Dispute Settlement Commission earlier on Friday, according to people familiar with the matter, and the rejection leaves the petitioners to pursue separate civil suits.
This comes after SK Telecom had previously vowed to take full responsibility for the damage and has since sued to overturn a $91 million monetary penalty imposed by regulators. The commission’s proposal would have rendered the matter settled, but SK Telecom’s decision is described as “concluded without a settlement.” According to Yonhap News Agency, the breach has continued to attract attention since it was first disclosed.