South Korea\'s parliamentary audit raised concerns that funds are increasingly concentrating in banks while savings banks and mutual finance institutions shrink. Lawmakers also questioned the legal basis and procedures for the financial authorities\' household loan volume controls, calling them de facto mandatory rules. Separate inquiries focused on payment inconveniences for foreign tourists, Apple Pay fees and infrastructure costs, and limits on using iPhone NFC for local simple payment services. Authorities said they would review improvements.

A string of hacking incidents in South Korea’s financial sector has led to confirmed personal data leaks at savings banks and mutual finance groups, prompting authorities to step up inspections and security requirements. Banks are moving to raise cybersecurity spending and expand fraud prevention systems using AI. Market volatility and a steep stock selloff also drew a policy response. Political debate intensified over postponing digital asset taxation and regulating exchange shareholders.