The chief of the main opposition Democratic Party proposed Sunday that the National Assembly form a special committee and launch an investigation into the massive leak of customers' personal and financial data from credit card companies.

DP leader Kim Han-gil made the proposal amid a public uproar over revelations that some 20 million bank clients' personal and financial data were leaked from credit card firms KB Kookmin, Nonghyup and Lotte. Customer fears have grown further following news reports that seven other credit card companies have also suffered data leaks.

"The personal information leak is highly likely to lead to a national disaster," Kim said. "All people are suffering from uneasiness" due to the data leak, he said.

Kim accused the government of acting in an incompetent and irresponsible manner, stressing that his party will try to make sure to determine what caused the data leak and who is responsible, and come up with preventive measures.

Kim urged the ruling Saenuri Party to accept his proposal for a special committee formation and a parliamentary investigation. Kim also demanded the resignation of the finance minister, and a sweeping shake-up of the Cabinet and the presidential office. (Yonhap News)