In a high-profile case that has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, a former Samsung Electronics executive is facing serious allegations of leaking trade secrets to rival companies. Recent developments have shed light on the extent of the alleged misconduct, with South Korean prosecutors providing additional details surrounding the accused individual’s motives and the intended beneficiary of the stolen information.
The ex-Samsung executive at the center of the controversy has been identified as Choi Jinseog, according to sources. While the initial indictment did not reveal any names, media reports later linked Choi to Foxconn, one of Samsung’s key competitors, due to his association with the company. Prosecutors claim that Choi had orchestrated the leak with the intention of supporting Foxconn’s establishment of a chip factory in China.
According to the indictment, Choi’s company, Jin Semiconductor, which had a contract with Foxconn in 2018, allegedly obtained highly sensitive and confidential data related to Samsung’s supplier network, trade secrets, and cleanroom management. The leaked information is believed to have been critical in aiding Foxconn’s efforts to set up a chip manufacturing facility in China, giving them a competitive edge over Samsung.
To acquire the stolen information, Choi reportedly recruited a significant number of employees from Samsung and its affiliates, exploiting their access to valuable trade secrets. He also obtained cleanroom-related data through an employee at Samoo Architects & Engineers, a subsidiary of Samsung C&T involved in architectural design and construction management. Additionally, Choi allegedly obtained blueprints of Samsung’s plant from an employee at HanmiGlobal, further bolstering the allegations against him.
While the prosecution asserts that the leaked information was specifically intended to benefit Foxconn’s chip factory plans, Choi’s defense lawyer disputes these claims. The lawyer argues that the factory was never actually built and that the information Choi obtained was not directly related to chip design or manufacturing. Instead, it is claimed that the industry standards for cleanroom construction, which were allegedly part of the leaked information, are widely available to the public.
Choi Jinseog was once a prominent figure in the South Korean chip industry, making significant contributions during his time at Samsung. He played a key role in the development of DRAM memory chips and wafer processing technology. After leaving Samsung, he joined SK Hynix as Chief Technology Officer, further solidifying his expertise in the field.
The alleged purpose of the Foxconn plant, according to reports, was to produce 20nm DRAM memory chips with an ambitious monthly production capacity of 100,000 wafers. However, it is important to note that these plans did not come to fruition, and Foxconn, Samoo Architects & Engineers, and HanmiGlobal have not been implicated in any wrongdoing.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case against Choi Jinseog will continue to be subject to investigation and scrutiny, shedding further light on the extent of the alleged leak and its implications for the competitive landscape of the tech industry.
