South Korea's tech-theft plan adds inspectors, speeds ex officio probes
( November 4, 2025, 07:59 GMT | Official Statement) -- MLex Summary: South Korea's antitrust regulator on Tuesday unveiled a plan to crack down on technology theft and appointed 12 SME technology-protection monitors drawn from the machinery, electrical, automotive and software sectors to intensify on-the-ground surveillance. According to the Korea Fair Trade Commission, the monitors will gather tips on unfair demands for or misuse of technical data in subcontracting and feed them into swift ex officio investigations, while information-sharing with relevant agencies will be regularized to spot cases earlier. The regulator said the plan adds investigators and ramps up surprise ex officio checks, moving beyond complaint-driven enforcement. It also shifts certain proof burdens to alleged takers, creates a Korean-style discovery regime with court-appointed expert fact-finding, evidence-preservation orders and recorded out-of-court testimony, and requires the regulator to submit investigation materials to courts. A fines-funded relief pool would support loans, litigation and prevention programs for affected firms.The statement, in Korean, is attached....
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