The amended Espionage Act entered into force in South Korea

The amended Espionage Act entered into force today. It expands the scope of espionage crimes. Seoul decided to make the changes due to the need to protect key technologies in the face of intensifying competition in the semiconductor sector and other strategic industries.

The National Assembly adopted an amendment to the Penal Code on February 26, responding to long-standing criticism that the existing provisions were inadequate to punish technological and industrial espionage involving non-North Korean entities.

A new type of crime

The amendment introduces a new type of crime: espionage for a foreign country or an organization with a similar status, punishable by at least three years' imprisonment. The existing provisions regarding espionage for an "enemy state" were maintained.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) welcomed the adoption of the amendment, assessing that it will strengthen South Korea's ability to prevent leaks of strategic technologies such as semiconductors, displays, batteries and artificial intelligence.

Thanks to spies, the Chinese gained access to important information

The change follows high-profile technology leak cases, including the indictment last year of five former Samsung Electronics employees accused of transferring key DRAM production technology to Chinese manufacturer CXMT.