Korea Zinc's Zinc Smelting Technology to Be Newly Designated as a National Core Technology

The government is moving to newly designate the 'hematite process technology' for refining high-purity zinc, a zinc smelting technology developed by Korea Zinc, as a national core technology.

On May 6, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that it had issued an advance notice of a proposed revision to the 'Notice on the Designation of National Core Technologies,' which aims to newly designate three technologies, including the hematite process technology, as national core technologies.

In accordance with Article 9 of the 'Act on Prevention of Divulgence and Protection of Industrial Technology,' the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy designates and manages technologies that are important to national security and the national economy as 'national core technologies.'

The ministry also regularly undertakes new designations, changes, and removals of national core technologies to keep pace with the speed of technological advancement.

Once a company is designated as possessing a national core technology, it will require government approval for any future acquisition by a foreign company, for reasons of economic security.

This proposed revision was prepared through reviews by sector-specific expert committees and deliberation and resolution by the Industrial Technology Protection Committee, based on input from relevant ministries and industry since the second half of last year.

The three newly designated national core technologies are: ▲ MLCC (multilayer ceramic capacitor) design, process, and manufacturing technology ▲ zinc smelting technology (hematite process) ▲ SAR (synthetic aperture radar) payload manufacturing and signal processing technology.

Among these, the hematite process technology is a process that removes impurities from zinc concentrate to refine high-purity zinc.

The ministry explained, "There is a need to designate this as a national core technology due to its economic and environmental excellence, as well as the security need to reduce dependence on overseas sources."

For MLCC design, process, and manufacturing technology, the ministry is pursuing new designation to maintain technological superiority and prevent overseas leakage. For SAR payload manufacturing and signal processing technology, the reason for new designation is its importance to national defense.

In addition, the ministry plans to revise the scope and terminology of 15 existing national core technologies to reflect changes in the technological environment, technological advances, and to accurately express terms in actual use.

The proposed revision containing these changes will be finalized after administrative notice and regulatory review. Related opinions can be submitted to the National Participation Legislative Center or the Technology Security Division of the ministry by May 27, during the administrative notice period.