South Korea’s third national security director highlighted on Thursday the need to both protect and enhance technological development as the country strives to gain the upper hand in the global high-tech arms race.
Wang Yun-jong, the third deputy director of national security, stressed the importance of sustaining technological supremacy among other countries, stating that it needs to be addressed as a national security issue. “In the era of complex crises, we consider maintaining technological superiority as not only a matter of domestic policy but also a matter of national security,” Wang noted.
Wang was appointed the inaugural third deputy director in January, a role created by the government to proactively tackle issues related to economic security, technology, and cybersecurity. He delivered his remarks in a keynote speech at a private event organized by the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), an influential business association. The speech was part of the third gathering of the Global Economic Affairs Executives Council, an initiative launched last December to serve as a conduit between the private and public sectors, focusing specifically on global economic and trade issues.
Wang detailed the strategies employed by the United States and China to secure their competitive edges in the evolving landscape of the tech war. “As the technological rivalry between the U.S. and China escalates, the U.S. is spearheading domestic innovation and international dialogues to preserve its supremacy in crucial emerging technologies. Meanwhile, China is fully committed to achieving technological self-reliance,” the third deputy director explained.
Wang called on the private sector to enhance and protect their technological capabilities as a strategy to achieve technological superiority. According to the director, this approach serves as a formidable tool to mitigate the effects of geopolitical instability, a growing concern which has notably influenced corporate decision-making.
Kim Chang-beom, the vice chairman of the FKI, emphasized the importance of developing countermeasures to prevent the theft of technology and talent in the semiconductor and biotechnology sectors. Data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, reported in February, revealed that from 2019 to 2023, there were 96 instances of industrial technology being transferred abroad. Of the 23 cases identified last year, 15 involved semiconductor technologies, and one was related to biotechnology.
Kim highlighted the significance of securing and safeguarding advanced technologies for national security, stating, “The terms ‘technology warfare’ and ‘industrial espionage’ underscore the fact that national competitiveness now hinges on the ability to protect and advance technological capabilities.”
