Ex-SS Hynix employee in South Korea who led Chip Tech to Hisilicon

A former employee of Kim at the Chinese division of the South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix was accused of having confidential semiconductor technologies, including advanced image sensors and chip packaging techniques, under a suspected attempt, a semiconductor, a semiconductor -Subsidiotor of the Chinese Tech -Huawei -Sedictor, too defective.

The public prosecutor's office of the Seoul Central District announced that the suspect, who was only identified by his surname Kim, a South Korean citizen, was charged with violating the administration and protection of industry technology against South Korean law. The public prosecutor said that Kim accepted a job offer from Hisilicon in 2022 and was illegal during the recruitment process and used trade secrets from SK Hynix.

The focus of the case is on two key technologies: CMOS image sensors (CIS) and hybrid binding, a method that is of crucial importance for the package with high-bare stores (HBM) and the integration of wafer-to-wafer integration.

According to reports from Joongang Ilbo And Yonhap NewsKim printed and photographed sensitive internal documents that violate company guidelines. The investigators say that he has taken up more than 11,000 pictures of proprietary data. To hide the violation, he worked on the logos and confidential markings by SK Hynix before grasping the materials in front of the camera.

The public prosecutor also claims that Kim had used the stolen information to strengthen his résumé, which he interrupted two different Chinese companies during his job.

While the infiltrated data encompassed the hybrid binding technology, a SK Hynix spokesman made it clear that the endangered materials are more related to the HBM-specific hybrid binding techniques in connection with wafer-to-wafer binding.

The case has attracted considerable attention in South Korea, which reflects the growing geopolitical tensions about semiconductor technology and the increasing frequency of alleged IP theft in which Chinese companies are involved. The indictment takes place in the middle of a tightened testing of the mobile tech talent mobility and the stricter enforcement of business protection in the global chip war.

Article edited by Jack Wu