A Chinese employee formerly employed by SK hynix is currently facing trial for the alleged theft of vital semiconductor technology from the Korean chipmaker, purportedly for the benefit of Chinese IT giant Huawei. According to the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police, the accused, a Chinese woman in her 30s, was referred to prosecutors last month on charges of violating the Act on Prevention of Divulgence and Protection of Industrial Technology.
The individual in question was hired by SK hynix in 2013 and was part of the team responsible for analysing defects in semiconductor designs. From 2020 to 2022, she engaged in business consultations with Chinese clients before leaving the Korean company to join Huawei. Prior to departing, it is alleged that she printed over 3,000 sheets of documents related to front-end semiconductor manufacturing technology.
Despite the accusations, the accused has denied the claim that she printed and transported the documents. SK hynix, upon discovering the situation, reported the incident to investigative agencies and is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation. This alleged theft is part of a growing trend of semiconductor technology leaks from Korean companies to Chinese firms, resulting in potential economic damages worth trillions of won.
This is not an isolated incident, as Samsung Electronics also dealt with a similar case where a former department head was accused of stealing chip technology, establishing a local Chinese company, and transferring chip engineers to his new firm. The leaked information was related to critical atomic layer deposition (ALD) equipment used in DRAM manufacturing processes, a technology that China has not yet developed.
The National Police Agency reported a 75% increase in the number of tech leak cases sent to trial from February to October last year, with the highest number of cases related to the display industry and chips. Industry experts emphasized the necessity for enhanced surveillance and stricter punishment for individuals involved in semiconductor technology leaks, as these incidents have serious implications and could lead to further economic and national security risks.
It is evident that the leakage of semiconductor technology poses a significant threat and requires stronger measures to deter such actions and impose severe penalties on those involved. The government, industry, and companies must work together to prevent further technology theft and safeguard the integrity of key national industries.