How many overseas industrial technology leak cases did Korea detect from 2021 to 2025, and which sector was most affected?

The National Intelligence Service detected 107 overseas industrial technology leak cases in that period. Semiconductors accounted for the largest share with 40 cases, far ahead of displays with 21 and electrical and electronics with 10.

How many of the technology leak cases involved national core technologies?

Of the 107 cases, 31 involved national core technologies. Semiconductors again led that category with nine cases, while displays and electrical and electronics technologies had five cases each.

What was the notable Samsung semiconductor leak case mentioned in the data?

One notable case involved a former Samsung Electronics manager who allegedly leaked 18-nanometer DRAM manufacturing technology, which had been designated as a national core technology, to Chinese chipmaker ChangXin Memory Technologies.

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

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Summary

Korea's spy agency detected 107 overseas industrial technology leak cases from 2021 to 2025, with semiconductors making up nearly 40 percent of them. The data submitted to the National Assembly showed 40 semiconductor cases, followed by 21 display cases and 10 electrical and electronics cases. Of the total, 31 involved national core technologies. One notable case involved a former Samsung Electronics manager accused of leaking 18-nanometer DRAM manufacturing technology to ChangXin Memory Technologies.

Key Facts

The National Intelligence Service detected 107 overseas industrial technology leak cases between 2021 and 2025.
Semiconductor technologies accounted for 40 of the cases, the largest share.
There were 31 cases involving national core technologies.
Display technologies accounted for 21 cases, while electrical and electronics technologies accounted for 10.
A former Samsung Electronics manager allegedly leaked 18-nanometer DRAM manufacturing technology to ChangXin Memory Technologies.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 27, 2026 10:41 am KST

Korea's spy agency has detected more than 100 cases of industrial technology leaks overseas over the past five years, with semiconductors accounting for nearly 40 percent of the total, data showed Sunday.

According to data submitted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources to the National Assembly, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) detected 107 cases of overseas industrial technology leaks between 2021 and 2025.

Semiconductor technologies accounted for the largest share with 40 cases, followed by display technologies with 21 cases, and electrical and electronics technologies with 10 cases.

Seven cases involved automotive technologies, while six involved shipbuilding technologies.

Of the 107 cases, 31 involved national core technologies, which the government designates as critical to national security and the economy due to their technological and economic value or growth potential, the NIS data showed.

Semiconductors also accounted for the largest share of leaks involving national core technologies, with nine cases, followed by displays and electrical and electronics technologies, with five cases each.

One notable case involved a former Samsung Electronics manager who allegedly leaked the Korean chipmaker's 18-nanometer DRAM manufacturing technology, designated as a national core technology, to Chinese chipmaker ChangXin Memory Technologies.

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