Overseas Tech Leaks Reach $216 Bil. Over 5 Years

The value of South Korean technology leaked overseas reached 253 trillion won ($216 billion) over the last five years, raising the urgent need to tighten security controls on key research projects.

South Korean authorities detected 160 cases of local technology being unlawfully sent abroad from 2004 to 2008, according to the report by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. The cases included technologies developed by national universities and laboratories, though most involved private firms.

Last year alone, technology leaks were valued at 79.8 trillion won, up sharply from 32.9 trillion won in 26 cases in 2004, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Of the leaked technologies during the five-year period, 73 cases involved electronics and other electrical devices with 27 and 23 cases related to communication technologies and precision machinery, respectively.

The report said former employees were involved in the bulk of the illegal technology leaks, with personal gains picked as a main motive behind the illegal transfer of technologies to foreign companies and laboratories.

"The data shows that there is a clear need to better manage sensitive technologies that cost a considerable amount of money to develop and the leak of which could hurt South Korea's standing in key hi-tech markets down the road," a ministry official was quoted as saying.