Addition of National Core Technologies Including Samsung and SK Ultra-Small Image Sensors

Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Revises Core Technology Notification and Establishes Detailed Guidelines for Protection Measures on the 15th

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Image sensors of 1㎛ (micrometer, one-millionth of a meter) or less, developed by Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, among others, will be added to the list of national core technologies. Core technologies refer to technologies that, if leaked overseas, could seriously harm national security and the development of the national economy.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 14th that, after deliberation and resolution by the 30th Industrial Technology Protection Committee, it will revise the "Notice on Designation of National Core Technologies" and establish the "Industrial Technology Protection Guidelines" on the 15th.

Through the revision of the notice, 71 technologies across 12 fields including semiconductors, displays, electrical and electronics, automobiles, shipbuilding, biotechnology, and information and communications will be designated. This is an increase of two from the previous 69.

In addition to ultra-small image sensors, newly designated technologies include advanced packaging assembly and inspection technologies for system semiconductors and 5G system design technologies.

Institutions that possess and manage the designated core technologies must take protective measures for these technologies. When exporting core technologies or when foreigners attempt to acquire companies holding core technologies through mergers and acquisitions, government approval must be obtained.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has established protection guidelines that provide detailed implementation instructions for protective measures that institutions holding and managing core technologies must follow to prevent technology leakage.

The newly established detailed guidelines will be used as criteria when the ministry recommends improvements to institutions holding and managing national core technologies regarding protective measures.

If an institution is judged to refuse, obstruct, or evade protective measures, a fine of up to 10 million KRW may be imposed.

Additionally, the approval and reporting requirements for the export of core technologies requiring government permission, as well as exceptions, have been specified in detail.

Choi Gyu-jong, Director of Trade Security Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, emphasized, "The expansion of designated core technologies and the establishment of protection guidelines stem from the intention for technology-holding institutions to protect their technologies themselves and to prevent illegal leakage of core technologies that could threaten the national economy or national security."

The revised notice and established guidelines can be found on the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy website under 'Budget & Laws → Notices & Announcements'.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.