Why Is the Investigation into KF-21 Confidential Leak Delayed? [Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club]

Indonesian Technicians Replace Phones and Encrypt Documents
Some Claim Technology Already Leaked and Demand Reduced Contributions

There have been signs that Indonesia attempted to leak aviation technology such as the KF-21, but the investigation has not progressed quickly. Meanwhile, Indonesia has notified that it intends to reduce its development contribution, raising the possibility of the issue escalating into a diplomatic problem.

On the 17th, the domestically produced supersonic fighter jet KF-21 was unveiled at the 'Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2023' held at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

On the 7th, a government official said, “During the COVID period, Indonesian technicians dispatched to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) replaced all their phones with foreign-made ones in their home country, making it impossible to access them,” adding, “Four months have passed, but there has been no progress in the investigation.”

One Indonesian technician dispatched to KAI was caught in January this year attempting to take about eight USB flash drives outside the company. This employee was sent to acquire aviation technology and share technology related to the KF-21. Investigators believe the USBs contained documents compiling daily reports submitted by the dispatched employees. Some of the documents on the USBs were encrypted and could not be decrypted. The investigative authorities planned to examine whether the information recorded in the daily reports constituted military secrets.

Initially, Indonesia agreed in January 2016 to bear 20% of the KF-21 development costs, approximately 1.7 trillion won (later reduced to about 1.6 trillion won), by June 2026 in exchange for receiving related technology transfers. However, it is reported that Indonesia proposed reducing its development contribution to about one-third while also receiving proportionally less technology transfer. Currently, Indonesia is overdue on contributions amounting to about 1 trillion won and has requested an extension of the payment deadline by eight years until 2034, citing budget shortages.

An official from the investigative authorities said, “There is a possibility that Indonesia has already smuggled out technology and demanded a reduction in contributions,” adding, “The key is to access the encrypted phones and documents.”