A South Korean expatriate has been arrested and detained in China on suspicion of engaging in espionage activities, marking the first arrest of a South Korean national since the implementation of the revised Anti-Epionage Law in July 2023. The individual, reportedly involved in the semiconductor industry, is accused of leaking Chinese semiconductor technology to South Korea, drawing significant attention from the industry.
According to reports from South Korean media outlets such as the Korean Central News Agency and Monday News, a South Korean man in his fifties, employed at CXMT in China, was taken into custody by the Hefei National Security Bureau in December 2023. He is alleged to have disclosed semiconductor-related information to South Korea. After five months of investigation, he was transferred to detention by the prosecution in May 2024.
Since July 2023, China has implemented a revised version of its Anti-Espionage Law, which expands investigative powers. This includes provisions that allow for the examination of documents, data, materials, and items related to "other countries' security and interests," even if they do not fall under state secrets.
The arrested individual previously worked at Samsung Electronics for over 20 years as an ion implantation technician in the semiconductor division before joining CXMT in 2016. He later worked for two other Chinese semiconductor companies. The Hefei National Security Bureau suspects that during his tenure at CXMT, he leaked semiconductor-related information to South Korea.
Currently, the individual has been detained for five months, with a formal trial expected in November 2024. The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that it has provided the necessary consular assistance upon learning of the incident, but cannot disclose specific details at this time.
