Nearly 4 in 10 Korean industrial technology leaks involve semiconductors: data
koreatimes.co.kr Sep 27, 2026

Nearly 4 in 10 Korean industrial technology leaks involve semiconductors: data

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service reported 107 instances of industrial technology theft abroad between 2021 and 2025, according to data submitted to the National Assembly. Semiconductor technology was the most frequently targeted sector, implicated in 40 cases, followed by displays (21) and electrical‑electronics (10). Seven incidents involved “national core technologies” deemed vital to security and economic growth; semiconductors accounted for nine of these critical leaks. A high‑profile case cited a former Samsung Electronics manager accused of passing the company’s 18‑nanometre DRAM manufacturing process to Chinese rival ChangXin Memory Technologies. Authorities said the breaches spanned multiple countries and often involved sophisticated supply‑chain infiltration, prompting calls for export controls and corporate vigilance. The findings underscore persistent espionage pressures on Korea’s high‑tech industries.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · The concentration of espionage in semiconductors threatens South Korea’s strategic edge in a sector that underpins global digital infrastructure, prompting urgent policy and corporate safeguards.