Hyundai Rotem’s K-808 wheeled armored vehicles are seen in this photo provided by the defense contractor. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea is introducing stricter penalties for crimes involving the unauthorized transfer of defense industry technology abroad, reflecting heightened concerns over national security.
The Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration announced on Tuesday that amendments to the Defense Industry Technology Protection Act were promulgated and will take effect on June 3, 2025.
Under the revised law, penalties for leaking defense technologies internationally will increase from a maximum of 20 years in prison or a fine of up to 2 billion won to mandatory imprisonment of at least one year combined with fines up to the same amount.
This change eliminates the upper limit for prison sentences and allows for both imprisonment and fines to be imposed concurrently.
Additionally, the Defense Industry Technology Protection Committee, responsible for designating protected technologies and formulating policies, will expand its membership from 25 to 28 members.
“The illegal transfer of defense technology poses a significant threat to national security,” the Ministry stated, emphasizing that the amendments address longstanding calls to bolster the legal framework to deter such crimes.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
