Former Samsung, SK Hynix Executive Arrested Again on Suspicion of Leaking DRAM Technology to China

Semiconductor expert Jin-seok Choi, who was previously accused of leaking Samsung Electronics’ 20nm DRAM manufacturing technology data to China and attempting to set up a “cloning factory” in Chengdu, has been detained again by court order.

According to a report by Chosun BizThe Seoul Central District Court recently issued arrest warrants for Choi and former Samsung research director Oh after reviewing their alleged violations of laws on preventing unfair competition and protecting trade secrets. The court cited concerns about the suspects’ absconding as the reason for issuing the arrest warrants.

It is reported that Choi and others disclosed more than 600 crucial pieces of information about the manufacturing process, such as the temperature and pressure required for the production of Samsung’s 20nm DRAM, to CHJS Tech in Chengdu.

Jin-seok Choi joined Samsung in 1984 and worked there for 18 years, serving as a director in the memory division. In 2001, he joined Hynix Semiconductor, the predecessor of SK Hynix, where he successfully helped revitalize the company from the brink of bankruptcy by revamping its DRAM processing technology. In 2010, he turned to the solar energy industry, joining companies such as Hanwha Q CELLS and STX Solar.

In 2015, Choi founded a semiconductor company in Singapore, actively recruiting industry talent from Samsung and SK Hynix. With the aim of building a semiconductor factory in China, he established CHJS (Beijing) in 2019.

In April 2020, Choi received a 460 billion won (about $340 million) investment from the Chengdu government to establish a research and development center in Chengdu. However, in June 2023, he was arrested on suspicion of stealing Samsung’s semiconductor plant plans to create a 20nm DRAM cloning plant. He was released in November 2023.

Due to new evidence, Choi has been arrested again, which brings the issue of semiconductor technology leaks in South Korea back to the forefront. Concerns about the technological advances currently held by CHJS and the potential risks of more advanced technology leaks in the future are growing.