Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) plans to strengthen institutional measures and cooperation with relevant government agencies to make its response to technology leakage more effective. The plan follows concerns raised about industrial technology protection during MOTIR’s National Assembly audit on October 6, 2026, which the ministry takes seriously.

 

During the October 6 audit, lawmakers called for more staff and funding for technology protection at MOTIR, the ministry responsible for overseeing industrial technology protection, and the introduction of special judicial police powers to investigate technology leakage. They also called for closer cooperation between MOTIR and agencies such as the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) to comprehensively manage data, including statistics on technology leakage, and develop technology protection policies. Lawmakers further called for clear criteria to determine when technology leakage offenses can be punished as espionage. To ensure stricter penalties, lawmakers also called for requiring courts to obtain MOTIR’s confirmation during court proceedings as to whether the technology in question constitutes industrial technology.

 

To address the growing threat of technology leakage, MOTIR amended the Act on Prevention of Divulgence and Protection of Industrial Technology in 2025. The amendments strengthened oversight of companies by introducing a system for the government to determine ex officio whether companies hold national core technologies, while also increasing penalties for technology leakage offenders, including higher fines. MOTIR has also continued to strengthen interagency cooperation on technology protection by operating the government-wide joint response team on technology leakage and the Industrial Technology Protection Policy Council.

 

However, as methods of technology leakage become more sophisticated and technology security grows increasingly important, concerns have been raised that existing measures and response systems alone may not be enough to build a robust and comprehensive technology protection system that meets the needs of the public and businesses. MOTIR takes the issues raised during the National Assembly audit seriously and plans to actively pursue the following policies to make its response to technology leakage more effective.

 

First, MOTIR will strengthen the security capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), universities, and other organizations vulnerable to technology leakage. The ministry will expand support for the installation of security equipment and consulting services for SMEs and other organizations, while strengthening oversight of key personnel to prevent technology leaks through personnel. The ministry will also step up inspections of companies’ technology protection practices to address emerging risks associated with the growing use of AI and the expansion of companies into overseas markets.

Second, MOTIR will take steps to ensure that illicit profits from technology leakage are recovered. The ministry plans to broaden the scope of assets subject to confiscation and recognize technology development costs incurred by affected companies as damages. It will also allow courts to commission specialized institutions to assess damages, helping affected companies obtain meaningful relief.

Third, MOTIR will work to prevent technology leakage offenders from evading punishment in court. It will establish a legal basis for courts to request MOTIR’s confirmation during trials as to whether the technology in question constitutes industrial technology. The ministry will also establish a legal basis to request data from intelligence and investigative agencies on the extent of damage, methods of leakage, and other relevant details to obtain an accurate picture of technology leakage.

Fourth, MOTIR will strengthen the government-wide response to technology leakage. With MOTIR playing a central role, the ministry plans to facilitate information sharing with the NIS, KNPA, Ministry of Justice, and other relevant agencies, while ensuring that technology protection policies and enforcement activities, including administrative and criminal investigations, work together seamlessly.

To incorporate these policy directions, MOTIR plans to promptly develop and announce the Sixth Comprehensive Plan on Prevention of Divulgence and Protection of Industrial Technology. The ministry will also pursue amendments to the Act on Prevention of Divulgence and Protection of Industrial Technology in support of this effort.

Minister Kim agreed with the concerns raised during the National Assembly audit about the need for a firmer response to technology leakage, which threatens Korea’s industrial competitiveness and national security. He said MOTIR would build a robust technology protection system to prevent leaks and impose severe penalties on offenders to deter any attempts to leak technology.