South Korean Executive Detained Again for Semiconductor Theft

By Ju-min Park

SEOUL (Reuters) – A South Korean executive, Choi Jinseog, accused of stealing semiconductor information from Samsung Electronics, has been detained on new allegations related to chip processing technology.

The Seoul Central District Court issued a detention warrant on Thursday amid concerns that Choi might flee, according to a court official who chose not to provide further details.

Choi, a former executive at Samsung who ran a chipmaking venture in China, has been embroiled in a prominent industrial espionage case since July 2023. Previously arrested and released on bail last November, he has denied those charges.

The latest allegations involve the theft of information concerning 20-nanometre DRAM chip processing. Choi’s attorney, Kim Pilsung, claimed his client did not commit any wrongdoing, asserting that the information in question is publicly available.

His lawyer also clarified that Choi has not yet been indicted for these new allegations. Samsung has declined to comment.

This case highlights South Korea’s commitment to combating industrial espionage while attempting to hinder China’s advancements in chip manufacturing. Choi was indicted in June 2023 for allegedly trying to establish a factory in China utilizing sensitive technology developed by Samsung.

Once a celebrated figure in South Korea’s chip sector, Choi mentioned in April after his release on bail that he is under police investigation alongside a former employee from Samsung regarding fresh allegations tied to Samsung’s chip processing technology.