South Korea has enacted significant amendments to its Defense Technology Security Act, introducing stricter penalties for unauthorized transfers of sensitive defense technologies and bolstering mechanisms to safeguard national security.

Announced by the defense ministry and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) on Dec. 3 — but largely overshadowed by Yoon Suk-yeol’s martial law declaration the same day — the revised law will take effect on June 3 after a six-month grace period. These changes mark a critical effort to align with international standards and protect the country’s burgeoning defense industry from escalating threats.

However, experts told Korea Prothat