The South Korean prosecutor’s office is currently investigating a former employee of a shipbuilding company who stands accused of leaking a submarine blueprint to Taiwan. It is alleged that this blueprint was subsequently utilized in the development of Taiwan’s first domestically produced submarine.
During a press briefing on Monday, the National Office of Investigation of the Korean National Police Agency announced that the case concerning the former employee of Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) had been forwarded to the prosecutor’s office in February. DSME, formerly one of South Korea’s largest shipbuilding companies, is now recognized as Hanwha Ocean.
Local news outlets have reported that in January, the Gyeongnam provincial police initiated an investigation into two individuals suspected of leaking industrial technology. These individuals faced accusations of pilfering a submarine blueprint during their tenure at DSME.
The report indicates that the police suspected the blueprint was transferred to Taiwan following the suspects’ employment at a submarine manufacturing consulting company. The suspects transitioned to the consulting firm after working at DSME.
Located in South Korea, this consulting firm collaborated with Taiwan’s largest shipbuilding entity, China Shipbuilding Corporation (CSBC). Allegedly, the blueprint was utilized in the development of Taiwan’s inaugural domestically produced submarine, dubbed ‘Haikun.’
According to local news reports, a pro-China congressman in Taiwan alerted the South Korean National Intelligence Service and Defense Acquisition Program Administration about the purportedly leaked blueprint. This prompted the police to initiate their 2023 investigation.
The police further revealed that they opted not to pursue an investigation into another individual facing similar allegations as the former employee. The Readable reached out to the South Korean police about their decision, but an official from the National Office of Investigation declined to provide a statement.
The individual in question denied any involvement in leaking the blueprint to Taiwan.
