Poll: 90 Percent of South Koreans Back Stronger Penalties for Overseas Technology Leaks

A poll released Sunday showed that 90.7 percent of South Koreans want stronger penalties for overseas leaks of core technologies in key industries. The Korea Enterprises Federation survey of 1,000 adults aged 19 and older found that 92.5 percent already consider such leaks a serious threat to the national economy. Yonhap reported the results.

Respondents split sharply on current rules. Only 5.3 percent favored keeping penalties at present levels, while 3.2 percent said they should be eased. The federation said the findings reflect broad public concern that technology outflows endanger both corporate interests and national competitiveness.

Detected cases rose sharply in recent years. Yonhap reported 33 overseas leaks in 2025, compared with nine in 2021. Combined financial damage from such incidents since 2020 reached 23 trillion won, or $15.43 billion.

South Korea's exposure exceeds that of major trading partners. Cutting-edge industries accounted for 36.3 percent of its exports in 2024. The corresponding shares were 29.7 percent for Britain, 24.3 percent for the United States and 23.1 percent for France.

Ha Sang-woo, a researcher at the federation, said the majority of people view leaks as a threat to the country's competitiveness and economic security. He added that countermeasures should be developed from an economic-security perspective, including tougher penalties for overseas leaks.