'Ransomware Terror' E-Land Vice Chairman Choi Jong-yang Encourages Employees in Internal Email

"Thankful for the Hard Work of Employees Who Do Their Best"

Choi Jong-yang, Vice Chairman of E-Land Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] On the 27th, Choi Jong-yang, Vice Chairman of E-Land Group, sent an internal email encouraging employees who have been struggling since the ransomware attack incident and expressing his determination to overcome the situation.

In an email titled "Message to Employees Regarding Ransomware," Vice Chairman Choi encouraged employees by saying, "No matter how difficult it is, we must resolve this hardship by our own strength."

He continued, "I am well aware that employees on the ground are facing many difficulties due to the recent ransomware terror inflicted on the group," and expressed deep gratitude for "the hard work of employees who are doing their best despite the difficult circumstances."

He added, "Many employees must be curious about the current situation, but the internal communication system has not been smooth, and due to the need to maintain security in response to the ransomware distributors, it has been difficult to share all the details," and stated, "The group is not yielding to the various threats from the ransomware distributors and is committed to responding through legitimate means, doing its best to restore the internal intranet and data."

Vice Chairman Choi also mentioned the ransomware distributors. He said, "Currently, the ransomware distributors claim to have the company's information and threaten to release it to the media and the internet," but clarified, "However, the information they claim to have is absolutely impossible to have been collected, so their claims are nothing but threats."

He further noted, "The ransomware distributors have been continuously threatening the company and demanding huge sums of money for the past six days," and pointed out, "If we pay the ransom, it is obvious that they will threaten more companies and individuals, and our company could become a target of another cyber terror again." Additionally, Vice Chairman Choi expressed the task force team (TFT) directly under his command will also do their best.

On the 22nd, E-Land Group was attacked by ransomware presumed to be from overseas in the early morning, leading to the emergency closure of 23 stores, half of the total 48 stores including NC Department Store and New Core Outlet. Subsequently, a TFT team led by Vice Chairman Choi Jong-yang was formed, and an investigation was requested from the police authorities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.