It is the latest in a string of large-scale personal information hacking cases in one of the world's most wired countries.

Police said two computer programmers had been arrested for hacking personal data of about 8.7 million KT subscribers. KT claims a mobile service subscription membership of 16 million.

Police were also investigating seven others suspected of having purchased and used the hacked KT data, which included names, resident registration numbers and phone numbers.

"We deeply apologize for worrying you," KT said in a statement. The company said it had blocked any further illegal access to data. The hacking began in February.

In November, more than 13 million subscribers of Nexon Korea Corp, a leading game developer, fell victim to a hacking attack.

Months before the Nexon Korea case, information of up to 35 million users of an internet portal and blogging site operated by SK Comms, the country's top mobile service provider, was attacked by hackers from China.

(Reporting by Sung-won Shim; Editing by Nick Macfie)

• A Permanent Economic Emergency