 |
Photo = Samsung Electronics |
[Alpha Biz= Reporter Kim Sangjin] A former researcher, referred to as A, who was accused of leaking Samsung Display's OLED manufacturing technology, valued at a minimum of 300 billion KRW, has been sentenced to 6 years in prison in the first trial.
According to the Suwon District Court's 12th Criminal Division Judge Ha Sang-je, on the 18th, A was convicted under the Unfair Competition Prevention and Trade Secret Protection Act for leaking trade secrets abroad.
A, who had been under bail pending the expiration of his detention period in March this year, was sentenced to actual imprisonment and taken into custody on the same day. Judge Ha stated, "The defendant illicitly used technology accumulated at great cost by the victim company over a long period, posing a high likelihood of criticism. Strict punishment is necessary to protect the nation's advanced technology," and explained the sentencing rationale by saying, "There are no circumstances warranting probation for the defendant."
A, formerly a senior researcher in Samsung's equipment development team, was accused of unlawfully acquiring and using OLED display ELA (Excimer Laser Annealing) equipment reverse optical system and OCR inkjet equipment technology for sale and provision to a Chinese company from 2018 to May 2020.
The ELA equipment reverse optical system refers to a device that maintains the intensity and safety of lasers directed at OLED display circuits. Investigative agencies identified this technology as a trade secret valued at least 340 billion KRW.
A, an OLED display specialist with over 10 years of experience at Samsung Display, established and operated a display company, B, domestically and another, C, in China after retirement.
It was revealed that A diverted Samsung's OLED display technology to company B and attempted to sell and provide the technology to Chinese companies through company C and others.
During his tenure at Samsung Display, A involved subordinates, junior employees, and friends in the crime, diverting trade secrets to company B and imitating the victim company's technology.
A and five co-conspirators were indicted in August 2020. Among them, three former Samsung Display researchers were sentenced to 1 to 2 years in prison, while two others received suspended sentences.
A, who had fled to China at the time, voluntarily returned to Korea after more than three years and was arrested by prosecutors in September of the same year.
AlphaBIZ Kim SangJin(letyou@alphabiz.co.kr)
