S.Korea’s expanded espionage law takes effect amid push to protect chip tech

South Korea's expanded espionage law takes effect on Sept 13, broadening espionage offences beyond acts involving North Korea to include all foreign countries as Seoul seeks to protect key technologies amid intensifying competition in semiconductors and other strategic industries.



The National Assembly passed the revised Criminal Act on Feb 26 after years of criticism that existing laws were ill-suited to punish technology and industrial espionage involving non-North Korean actors.



The amendment creates a new offence covering espionage for a foreign country or equivalent organisation, carrying a minimum sentence of three years in prison. Existing provisions for espionage benefiting an "enemy state" remain in place.



Under the previous law, espionage charges generally applied only to acts benefiting North Korea, forcing prosecutors in many cases involving foreign governments or companies to rely on other industrial technology or trade-secret laws.



The National Intelligence Service welcomed the amendment when it was passed, saying it would strengthen South Korea's ability to prevent leaks of strategic technologies such as semiconductors, displays, batteries and AI.