'Alleged subsidiary technology leak' ... Two former Samsung Electronics employees indicted while in custody

[Financial News] Former Samsung Electronics employees, including one accused of leaking semiconductor equipment technology from its subsidiary SEMES to a company operated by that employee, have been indicted while in custody. The Prosecution Service is continuing to investigate whether others also took part in the technology leak.
According to legal sources, on the 22nd, the 5th Major Crimes Prosecution Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecution Office, headed by Chief Prosecutor Park Kyung-taek, indicted two people, including former Samsung Electronics employee A, while they were in custody on charges of violating the Unfair Competition Prevention Act.
A previously worked at Samsung Electronics and later served as an executive at SEMES. A is currently reportedly the head of a separate semiconductor-related company.
The Prosecution Service believes A leaked confidential company materials, including design drawings for SEMES's overhead transport system (OHT), to a company A operates. Another former Samsung Electronics employee, B, who was indicted alongside A, is also accused of conspiring with A in the crime and participating in the technology leak.
The Prosecution Service took A and others into custody on the 30th of last month and initially indicted them. It is understood that the prosecution later uncovered indications that C, a co-CEO of the company operated by A, had also participated in the technology leak and is conducting a further investigation.
OHT is logistics automation equipment that automatically transports containers holding wafers to individual process tools along rails installed on the ceiling of a semiconductor production line. A wafer is a thin disk made from materials such as silicon and is a basic material used in semiconductor manufacturing.
SEMES is a semiconductor and display equipment subsidiary in which Samsung Electronics holds a majority stake. It is Korea's largest semiconductor equipment company and develops and manufactures factory automation and logistics equipment, including OHT, as well as semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
The Prosecution Service plans to determine whether to bring additional indictments after investigating the circumstances of the technology leak and whether the leaked materials were used, including through inquiries with C and others.
 
[email protected] Choi Eun-sol Reporter