By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter
The prosecution has toughened its countermeasures against industrial espionage.
The Supreme Prosecutors' Office said Wednesday it had selected 60 domestic companies that are frequently targeted by criminals for their state-of-the-art technologies and will take a close look at all activities and deals in connection with what it called "national treasure."
The office did not disclose the names of the companies.
The plan came a week after senior prosecutors met with executives of the country's leading firms to discuss ways to eliminate increasing attempts to snatch high-end technologies.
Among the companies at the meeting were Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor, Kia, Hynix, Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, LG Electronics, POSCO, KT, Doosan, SK and Hanwha.
"Dozens of mid- and small-sized firms are also subject to the monitoring," said a prosecutor familiar with the meeting. "We will gradually widen our coverage."
Technologies used to manufacture sophisticated semiconductors, hybrid cars, steel, ships, power generators, satellite cameras and communications equipment will be initially monitored, the prosecutor added.
The office will host a conference for companies that are attacked on a regular basis to share knowledge about how to prevent crimes.
According to the Ministry of Justice, 270 tech leakage cases were reported in 2008, up from 191 in 2007. Nearly 150 cases were reported in the first seven months of last year, the ministry said.