Leaked Semiconductor Technology from China... "Essential for Building Manufacturing Facilities"

Ahn Gi-hyun, Executive Director of Korea Semiconductor Industry Association, Radio Interview
"Chinese Copycat Factories? Not Easy Due to US Controls"

The industry was shocked as Mr. Choi, a figure regarded as an authority in the domestic semiconductor process field, was arrested and indicted by the prosecution on charges of stealing technology and attempting to build a replica factory in China. The technology in question is considered essential for constructing semiconductor manufacturing facilities.

Mr. Choi, a former executive director at Samsung Electronics and vice president at Hynix Semiconductor, was arrested and indicted for stealing Samsung Electronics' trade secrets, including semiconductor factory BED (Basic Engineering Data), process layouts, and design drawings, and attempting to build a semiconductor factory identical to Samsung Electronics' just 1.5 km away from Samsung Electronics' semiconductor factory in Xi'an, China.

On the 14th, Ahn Ki-hyun, Executive Director of the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association, appeared on SBS Radio's "Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show" and explained, "(Mr. Choi) was an outstanding engineer" and "He contributed significantly through technology development."

He added, "He made great contributions to the Korean semiconductor industry, and it is regrettable that the nation and industry failed to embrace him. I believe this happened because he was engaged in supporting the semiconductor industry and technology in China."

Regarding the leaked technology and materials, he explained, "The technology and materials are absolutely necessary for building semiconductor manufacturing facilities. Semiconductor manufacturing facilities are cleanroom facilities, and how various processes, air conditioning environments, and equipment are arranged in the cleanroom is very important. Since such materials are included, having just those materials means you can build a factory."

Executive Director Ahn pointed out that if the replica factory had actually been built, the Korean semiconductor industry would have suffered significant damage, saying, "When competition arises, the technology gap narrows, and as the technology gap narrows, our relative technological competitiveness declines." He added, "In the long term, it could become an environment where (China) surpasses our technology."

Regarding concerns that other replica factories could be built using the design drawings remaining in China, he said, "It is possible to build a factory," but added, "Factories require equipment, and equipment must be separately procured, but due to the U.S. export control system, it will not be easy for the time being."

Furthermore, Executive Director Ahn emphasized the need for measures to prevent the outflow of personnel, noting that China often offers high salaries to scout key Korean semiconductor talent. He said, "First, they must be allowed to work with pride," and "Second, their technical capabilities should be supported so that they can have jobs in Korea for a long time."

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