[JIPYONG LLC] Korea Legal Insight (June 16, 2025)

KOREA LEGAL INSIGHT
Recent Amendments to Korea’s Industrial Technology Protection Act: Key Changes and Implications for 2025
June 16, 2025

On December 27, 2024, the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea passed significant amendments to the Act on Prevention of Divulgence and Protection of Industrial Technology (the "Industrial Technology Protection Act" or “ITPA”), which will take effect on July 22, 2025. These reforms are designed to strengthen Korea’s legal framework for protecting core industrial technologies from unauthorized disclosure and align with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s (MOTIE) newly announced Fifth Comprehensive Plan for the Prevention of Divulgence and Protection of Industrial Technology. The Plan expands protections for core technologies (such as those in the battery and space sectors), enhances M&A oversight, and increases support for vulnerable institutions like universities and SMEs. Collectively, these measures underscore the government’s commitment to bolstering national technology security. The amended Enforcement Decree reflects a clear policy shift across different areas of the governance framework.

1.	Key Directions of the Amendment to the Enforcement Decree
2.	Comparison of Current and Amended Provisions of the ITPA
3.	Implications for Foreign Investors and Companies Operating in Korea

KLI Editors

Jinhee KIM

Andrew J. PARK

Sanghee LEE

Seung Min LEE

26F, Grand Central A, 14 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul T. +82-2-6200-1600 E. master@jipyong.com

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