{"id":2204076,"date":"2024-03-04T19:50:35","date_gmt":"2024-03-04T10:50:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2204076"},"modified":"2024-03-05T15:50:28","modified_gmt":"2024-03-05T06:50:28","slug":"why-a-push-to-reform-south-korean-spy-law-risks-a-diplomatic-fallout-with-china","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/03\/why-a-push-to-reform-south-korean-spy-law-risks-a-diplomatic-fallout-with-china\/","title":{"rendered":"Why a push to reform South Korean spy law risks a diplomatic fallout with China"},"content":{"rendered":"

Han Dong-hoon, the interim leader of South Korea\u2019s ruling People Power Party (PPP), has called for <\/span>broadening espionage laws<\/span><\/a> to make it illegal to spy for any foreign country, a sharp contrast from the ROK\u2019s current legislation that only specifies North Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n

Under current South Korean law, espionage is only illegal if it poses a threat to national security and <\/span>specifically benefits North Korea<\/span><\/a>. Consequently, actions carried out by or on behalf of other countries fall outside the scope of prosecution.<\/span><\/p>\n

Han\u2019s proposal comes after National Assembly Deputy Speaker <\/span>Kim Young-joo\u2019s<\/span><\/a> decision to join the PPP following her exit from the main opposition Democratic Party (DP). She had previously <\/span>advocated<\/span><\/a> the expansion of the country\u2019s espionage laws, reflecting an emerging consensus across South Korea\u2019s political spectrum on the need to strengthen legal protections against corporate and military espionage.<\/span><\/p>\n

The proposed legal changes come at a time when South Korea has experienced several high-profile technology leaks, underscoring the urgency of updating its espionage framework.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, this development presents new risks and strategic considerations. If passed, the proposed expanded espionage law will likely affect South Korea\u2019s international relations, especially with China, and impact global business operations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Addressing espionage has significant implications for the country\u2019s domestic and international policies, as well as for businesses operating in and with South Korea, and the success of these efforts will likely depend on more than just changing the law.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

People Power Party interim leader Han Dong-hoon formally accepts National Assembly deputy speaker Kim Young-joo’s entry into the party, March 4, 2024 | Image: People Power Party<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

ANYTHING BUT A WELL-OILED MACHINE<\/b><\/p>\n

South Korea\u2019s defense and industrial sectors have been the targets of several significant technology leaks in recent years, raising concerns over national security and the integrity of its technological advancements.<\/span><\/p>\n

For instance, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration revealed an Indonesian engineer had <\/span>attempted to steal technologies<\/span><\/a> related to the KF-21 fighter jet in February. This incident is part of a trend that includes the <\/span>leak of tens of thousands of documents<\/span><\/a> by former Agency for Defense Development employees on unmanned systems such as drones, future warfare technologies and artificial intelligence in 2020.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, prosecutors <\/span>charged<\/span><\/a> two South Korean nationals with industrial espionage for their work with marine consultancy firm SI Innotec, which was implicated in the unauthorized export of military-grade submarine technology to CSBC Corporation, a Taiwanese state-owned shipbuilder.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although a South Korean appeals court later overturned the conviction due to insufficient evidence that the exported equipment constituted military goods requiring government approval, the incident further illustrated the challenges Seoul faces in protecting its defense technologies against unauthorized dissemination.<\/span><\/p>\n

The industrial sector has not been spared, with Samsung Electronics Company experiencing <\/span>multiple<\/span><\/a> high<\/span><\/a>–<\/span>level<\/span><\/a> breaches<\/span><\/a> involving former employees who allegedly leaked key semiconductor technologies to Chinese companies.<\/span><\/p>\n

These incidents highlight the multifaceted nature of espionage threats that South Korea faces.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, it is noteworthy that the South Korean government and corporations often use the term \u201cleaks\u201d to describe these incidents, a choice of word that points to a cautious approach in addressing the issue of espionage.<\/span><\/p>\n

This passive language reflects a reluctance to directly accuse China due to fears of damaging diplomatic ties between Seoul and Beijing. This highlights the balance South Korea attempts to maintain between calling out foreign espionage activities and preserving diplomatic and economic relations.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

Korea Aerospace Industries rolls out the KF-21 Boramae at its manufacturing facility in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, April 21, 2021 | Image: Korea Aerospace Industries<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM<\/b><\/p>\n

The proposal to broaden the nation\u2019s espionage laws represents a strategic pivot from solely targeting North Korea to including all foreign countries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The implications of such an expansion in South Korea\u2019s foreign relations, particularly with China, are profound. As the ROK\u2019s largest trading partner and a key player in regional security dynamics, China occupies a pivotal position in Seoul\u2019s foreign policy considerations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Broadening espionage laws signals Seoul\u2019s intent to safeguard its national security and technological integrity more aggressively, but it risks provoking tensions with Beijing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Should South Korea enact expanded espionage legislation and directly accuse Chinese companies of engaging in corporate espionage, Beijing will likely <\/span>issue diplomatic protests<\/span><\/a>, framing such accusations as unfounded and detrimental to the mutual trust that underpins ROK-China relations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Economically, China could <\/span>retaliate<\/span><\/a> with trade restrictions, tariffs on South Korean goods, or targeted actions against South Korean companies within its borders, leveraging the economic interdependence between the two nations to exert pressure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Further, China might intensify alleged <\/span>cyber operations<\/span><\/a> targeting South Korean entities alongside amplifying <\/span>influence operations<\/span><\/a> aimed at swaying public opinion within the ROK.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a result, South Korea finds itself in a precarious position, needing to assert its right to defend against espionage while avoiding undue escalation with China and other nations.<\/span><\/p>\n

TREATING THE SYMPTOMS<\/b><\/p>\n

However, while aimed at addressing the growing concerns over corporate and military espionage, South Korea\u2019s espionage laws predominantly focus on <\/span>punitive measures<\/span><\/a> rather than preventative strategies.<\/span><\/p>\n

This approach raises questions about the effectiveness of merely expanding the legal framework without accompanying reforms in labor laws that could enhance job security and remuneration for South Korean engineers and scientists, who are at the forefront of developing the <\/span>cutting-edge technologies<\/span><\/a> that are often targets of espionage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without addressing the underlying structural issues that may make industrial and scientific secrets vulnerable, the expanded legislation may not fully achieve its intended protective outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, while the broader scope of espionage laws could theoretically strengthen legal deterrents against corporate espionage, this move might inadvertently create an environment of heightened caution among international businesses and multinational corporations operating in South Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n

The emphasis on punitive measures, without clear guidelines or support for companies to improve their internal security protocols, will likely lead to uncertainty and hesitancy in engaging with South Korea\u2019s tech sector. This situation could stifle the innovation and openness that have been pivotal to the country\u2019s success in the global technology market.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Nov. 15, 2022 | Image: ROK Presidential Office<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

LIKELY OUTCOME<\/b><\/p>\n

Han Dong-hoon\u2019s legislative push to widen the scope of the country\u2019s espionage laws reflects an awareness of the evolving threats to its national security and technological sovereignty. By including all foreign nations in its espionage legislation, South Korea signals a heightened vigilance against espionage.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, these legal changes could affect South Korea\u2019s international relations, particularly with key trading partners and rivals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Considering past precedent, this legislative push will likely expand the country\u2019s espionage laws to include all foreign countries and its arsenal of punitive measures, but it is unlikely that Seoul will push too hard to avoid risking its relations with Beijing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Edited by Alannah Hill<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Business & Economy<\/span><\/a>Defense & Security<\/span><\/a>Domestic Politics<\/span><\/a>Inter-Korean & Foreign Relations<\/span><\/a>Technology & Cyber<\/span><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Han Dong-hoon, the interim leader of South Korea\u2019s ruling People Power Party (PPP), has called for broadening espionage laws to make it illegal to spy for any foreign country, a sharp contrast from the ROK\u2019s current legislation that only specifies North Korea. Under current South Korean law, espionage is only illegal if it poses a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10407,"featured_media":2204077,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[24,26,27,28,29],"yoast_head":"\nWhy a push to reform South Korean spy law risks a diplomatic fallout with China - KOREA PRO<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/03\/why-a-push-to-reform-south-korean-spy-law-risks-a-diplomatic-fallout-with-china\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why a push to reform South Korean spy law risks a diplomatic fallout with China - KOREA PRO\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Han Dong-hoon, the interim leader of South Korea\u2019s ruling People Power Party (PPP), has called for broadening espionage laws to make it illegal to spy for any foreign country, a sharp contrast from the ROK\u2019s current legislation that only specifies North Korea. 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