Illustration of a semiconductor wafer. (People News)
November 1, 2024: Recently, a South Korean semiconductor engineer was arrested in China on espionage charges. This comes shortly after the South Korean government announced a series of new measures to strictly punish intellectual property theft and prevent core technology secrets from leaking. Experts believe the timing of this arrest suggests that the CCP may be retaliating against South Korea with this action.
On October 29, the CCP’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that a South Korean chip engineer was arrested on suspicion of engaging in espionage.
According to Yonhap News, the engineer, identified as “A,” was previously employed by Samsung Electronics' semiconductor division. Since 2016, he has worked for several major Chinese semiconductor companies, including ChangXin Memory Technologies, China’s largest memory chip producer. At the end of last year, he was taken from his home in Hefei, Anhui Province, by Chinese state security on charges of espionage. He had been living there with his wife and two daughters.
State security claims that during his tenure at ChangXin, A leaked semiconductor-related information to South Korea. However, A’s defense asserts that he did not have access to China’s core semiconductor technology.
A was detained in a local hotel for five months of interrogation, and in May of this year, China’s Ministry of State Security took over the case. A is currently being held at the Hefei Detention Center.
This is the first arrest of a South Korean national on espionage charges since China’s revised Anti-Espionage Law came into effect in July last year. Just before Beijing confirmed A’s arrest, Seoul had announced strict measures to prevent Chinese theft of South Korean semiconductor intellectual property. The timing of A’s arrest has sparked widespread attention.
Retaliatory Action to Demonstrate Power Against South Korea
Su Tzu-yun, Director of the Division of Strategy and Resources at Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research, told The Epoch Times on October 30 that the CCP previously arrested Japanese nationals, even accusing one Japanese corporate employee working with the CCP on geothermal exploration of being a spy. Similarly, when the Canadian government detained Meng Wanzhou, Beijing responded by arresting a Canadian citizen, also labeling him a spy. Based on such past behavior, Su suggests that A’s arrest is another retaliatory act by Beijing, intended as a demonstration of power against South Korea, while indirectly claiming its own semiconductor technology.
Moreover, A’s family claims that he suffers from diabetes and is not receiving medication. Su said that regardless of the case’s nature, access to medication for chronic conditions is a fundamental human right. Such actions by the CCP highlight an uncivilized, backward nature and reveal the essence of authoritarian governance, which is highly regrettable.
The Anti-Espionage Law as a Tool of Hostage Diplomacy
The revised Anti-Espionage Law, which took effect in July last year, greatly expanded enforcement powers, prohibiting unauthorized transfer of any documents, data, or information deemed “related to national security and interests,” and encouraging citizens to report espionage activities.
In an interview with The Epoch Times, Lai Rongwei, Executive Director of Taiwan’s Inspiration Association (TIA), pointed out that a heavy security atmosphere prevails within China, and the definition of espionage under this “anti-espionage law” is vague and generalized. Under such conditions, any behavior deemed harmful to the CCP’s interests could be prosecuted under this law, turning individuals into bargaining chips in what he called hostage diplomacy.
Lai emphasized that, unlike a normal country, the CCP lacks a proper intelligence oversight mechanism. Any action it deems related to intelligence can be subject to arbitrary enforcement. Without decoupling from the CCP, foreign nationals who visit China for business or tourism risk being accused of espionage at any time.
“Taiwan now warns its citizens that if they mention sensitive topics in China, they could be reported by nearby citizens and detained. Or, if they have close contact with government officials or inquire about sensitive information, they could be accused of gathering intelligence.” He added, “And there is no opportunity for appeal because even the CCP’s judiciary is subordinate to the Party.”
“Wolf Warrior” Diplomacy Hastens Foreign Business Exit from China
In late August, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that a Japanese national detained on espionage charges in March last year and formally arrested in October was officially prosecuted by Chinese authorities. This Japanese citizen was an employee of Astellas Pharma, a Japanese pharmaceutical company, and had worked in China for 20 years, even serving as a senior official at the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China. Lai believes this series of actions will deter other democratic nations from engaging with the CCP.
He stated, “The CCP’s aggressive ‘wolf warrior’ diplomacy may appear strong and forceful, but it ultimately accelerates the exodus of foreign businesses from China.”
Su Tzu-yun added, “The CCP is a party-led system, which results in political tightening and economic decline. Foreign investment withdrawal has become more apparent, with investments in China reduced by nearly 50% compared to previous levels—a predicament entirely of the CCP’s own making.”
Editor: Gao Jing
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