South Korean executive detained again for chip theft allegations
His lawyer claims the information is publicly available, and Choi denies any wrongdoing.
A South Korean executive, Choi Jinseog, has been re-detained on new charges related to the theft of semiconductor technology developed by Samsung Electronics. The Seoul Central District Court issued a warrant on Thursday, citing concerns that Choi, who previously faced similar allegations, might flee.
Choi had already been under scrutiny since July 2023 for allegedly stealing information to build a copycat chip factory in China. He was arrested and released on bail last November but denies all charges.
The latest allegations involve information theft about 20-nanometre DRAM chip processing technology. Choi’s lawyer maintains that the information in question is publicly accessible and that Choi has not been formally indicted on these new charges.
Why does this matter?
The case highlights South Korea’s ongoing efforts to combat industrial espionage and curb China’s advancements in chip manufacturing. Samsung declined to comment on the latest developments.