South Koreans Call for Tougher Penalties on Core Technology Leaks
Quick Look
- A poll by the Korea Enterprises Federation reveals 92.5% of South Koreans view core technology leaks as a serious threat, with 90.7% advocating for tougher penalties.
- Detected cases have risen, causing 23 trillion won in damages since 2020, prompting calls for policy reform.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
A recent poll indicates strong public support in South Korea for stricter penalties against core technology leaks, which are perceived as a serious threat to the national economy, with damages reaching 23 trillion won since 2020.
SEOUL, July 19 (Yonhap) -- Nine in 10 South Koreans believe the country should impose tougher penalties for leaking core technologies overseas amid intensifying global competition, a poll showed Sunday.
According to the survey conducted by the Korea Enterprises Federation, a major local business lobby, 92.5 percent of respondents said the leakage of core technologies in key industries, including semiconductors, poses a serious threat to the South Korean economy.
The survey was conducted on 1,000 respondents aged 19 and older.
When asked about the level of punishment for overseas leaks of core technologies, 90.7 percent said penalties should be strengthened, while 5.3 percent called for maintaining the current level. Another 3.2 percent said they should be eased.
The business lobby said South Korea should analyze domestic and overseas research findings and revamp relevant policies to better reflect public sentiment.
The number of detected cases involving overseas leaks of core technologies came to 33 in 2025, up from just nine in 2021, the federation said, noting that the combined financial damage caused by such leaks since 2020 has reached 23 trillion won (US$15.43 billion).
The federation also pointed out that South Korea is more vulnerable to the impact of core technology leaks, given its heavier reliance on cutting-edge industries than its global competitors.
The share of cutting-edge industries in South Korea's exports came to 36.3 percent in 2024, higher than those of Britain, the United States and France, which posted 29.7 percent, 24.3 percent and 23.1 percent, respectively.
"The majority of people believe that the leakage of core technologies is not just an issue for companies but also a threat to the country's competitiveness and economic security," Ha Sang-woo, a researcher at the federation, said.
"We need to come up with countermeasures from the perspective of economic security, including adopting tougher penalties for overseas leaks of core technologies," Ha added.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
South Korea will analyze research and revamp policies regarding technology leaks.
Likely · Within months
Tougher penalties for overseas leaks of core technologies will be adopted.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific policy changes will be proposed?
- How will the government respond to public sentiment?
- What are the current penalties for technology leaks?
