National Core Technology Leakage Fine 1.5 Billion → 6.5 Billion... National Police Agency, 100-Day Intensive Crackdown

[Financial News] The police will conduct an intensive crackdown on technology leakage, such as semiconductors, to overseas.
The National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency announced on the 23rd that it will conduct an intensive crackdown on the overseas leakage and brokerage of national core technologies from the 24th to the end of October for 100 days.
Strengthened punishment regulations, including the expansion of the scope of overseas technology leakage crimes, will be applied.
According to the amendment to the Industrial Technology Protection Act, which took effect on the 22nd, the fine for leaking national core technology has increased from a maximum of 1.5 billion won to 6.5 billion won. Industrial technology leakage can be fined up to 3 billion won. The compensation for damages has been expanded from three to five times.
The punishment target for overseas technology leakage has been relaxed from the current 'purpose crime' to 'intentional crime'. Even if there is no 'unfair profit or damage recognition by the victim institution' in the introduction, brokerage, or inducement of industrial technology infringement, or if there is no intention to cause damage by refusing to return or delete, punishment is possible.
The police sent 27 cases of overseas technology leakage last year. Since the launch of the National Investigation Headquarters in 2021, technology leakage cases have increased every year, reaching the largest scale last year. In addition, they recovered 6.5 billion won in criminal proceeds, including salaries and living expenses of technology leakage offenders. By country, China had the most with 20 cases, followed by the United States with 3 cases, and Japan, Vietnam, Germany, and Iran with 1 case each. By technology, there were 9 cases of semiconductors, 8 cases of displays, and 3 cases of electronics.
Last year, 15 suspects who leaked '20-nanometer semiconductor manufacturing process technology', a national core technology, and over 200 developers overseas were arrested. Criminal proceeds of 1.8 billion won were seized before prosecution. The police also arrested 5 suspects and a domestic corporation that established a fake research institute within a university-industry cooperation group and leaked national core technology, such as 'electric vehicle battery design', overseas.
As of the end of last month, 8 cases of overseas technology leakage occurred this year. China had the most with 5 cases, and the United States, Indonesia, and Vietnam each had 1 case where technology was leaked. Semiconductors were the most with 3 cases, followed by machinery with 2 cases, and displays, electronics, and others with 1 case each.
To enhance the effectiveness of the crackdown, the police are conducting a damage assessment project with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. They also receive advice from the Korean Intellectual Property Office on the identity and non-disclosure of leaked technology. In addition, they aim to recover all criminal proceeds during the investigation process. Citizens who have suffered from technology leakage or witnessed cases are also requested to report to 113 or the reporting center established on the National Police Agency's website, or to the industrial technology protection investigation team of the city and provincial police agencies.
A police official said, "Technology leakage crimes require immediate reporting from victim companies and active reports from citizens," and "We will ensure that no economic benefits can be obtained through technology leakage."
unsaid@fnnews.com Kang Myeong-yeon Reporter