Accused of Stealing Information, Detained for 1 Year
Family Appeals for Trial in South Korea, it has been confirmed that a Korean national working for a Chinese semiconductor company has been detained for nearly a year under espionage charges. This is the first case where a Korean has been subject to the revised anti-espionage law.
According to the Korean Embassy in China, a Korean resident in his 50s living in Hefei City, Anhui Province, was arrested in May. The individual, identified as A, was taken from his home while sleeping in December last year by investigators from the Hefei State Security Bureau and was questioned in a hotel for five months. In May, the Chinese prosecutors took over the case from the State Security Bureau and formally arrested him.
Documents presented by the investigators at the time of arrest indicate that A is being charged with espionage, allegedly for leaking Chinese semiconductor information to South Korea. This is the first application of the revised anti-espionage law, which broadened the scope of espionage activities from July 1, 2023, to a Korean national.
A had worked for nearly 20 years as an ion implantation engineer for South Korean semiconductor companies and had been employed by Changxin Memory Technologies, a Chinese DRAM semiconductor company, until his detention. Changxin Memory had hired 10 South Korean semiconductor personnel in 2016, including A.
A subsequently worked for two other Chinese semiconductor companies, but the Hefei State Security Bureau suspects he leaked semiconductor-related information to Korea during his time at Changxin Memory. It is reported that A was not in a position to access critical technologies or information during his employment there.
The trial may begin as soon as this month. The anti-espionage law allows for punishment for acts threatening national security conducted using China’s citizens, organizations, or other means against a third country. The law has been criticized for its ambiguity regarding what constitutes ‘security,’ ‘national interests,’ and threats to ‘China’s national security.’
Under criminal law, espionage is usually punished with imprisonment of 3 to 10 years, and in severe cases, it can lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty. The crime of leaking state secrets can result in sentences ranging from up to 5 years to life imprisonment, depending on the severity. A’s family is appealing for the trial to take place in South Korea. The Korean Embassy in China stated, “We have been providing necessary consular assistance since being informed of the case.”
At a briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Zhen stated, “This Korean citizen was arrested by Chinese authorities on charges of espionage. China, as a nation governed by law, has detected illegal criminal activities and ensured the legitimate rights of the involved party.”