Lee Sang-jung (이상중), president of the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA), has been dismissed, and non-executive director Ryu Jae-cheol (류재철), a professor in the Department of Computer Convergence at Chungnam National University, will serve as acting president.

With Lee's dismissal confirmed on the 28th, KISA appointed Ryu as acting president to reduce any gap in operations stemming from the leadership vacancy. Ryu has previously served as president of the Korea Institute of Information Security and Cryptology, among other roles.

Ryu will run KISA until a new president is appointed.

Lee's dismissal came after an audit by the Ministry of Science and ICT. The ministry cited issues in the agency's management, including Lee's stated career record, the use of business promotion expenses and budget management.

Lee took office as KISA's seventh president in January 2024. His term was set to run until January 2027.

Lee posted on Facebook on the 28th that while he acknowledges and regrets shortcomings in handling some tasks flagged in an audit conducted over several months since February, it is a separate issue whether responsibility for wrongdoing and the severe punishment of dismissal are justified. He said the dismissal was excessive.