South Korea postponed the second round of its flagship “Startup for All” initiative on Monday after a data leak exposed entrepreneurs’ personal information, startup ideas and evaluation materials, prompting SMEs Minister and Prime Minister nominee Han Seong-sook to issue a public apology and pledge reforms. First Vice Minister Roh Yong-seok said the government would delay the program until investigations are complete and the system has been strengthened, arguing that restoring public trust must take precedence over expansion.

The first roundof the initiative attracted more than 62,000 applicants, of whom 5,000 were selected. The government had planned to double the