"Eradicating Technology Theft"... Six Ministries Launch Pan-Government Task Force

Identifying Collaborative Initiatives Among Six Ministries

A "Pan-Government Task Force" comprising six major ministries has been launched to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have unfairly lost their technologies. The goal is to consolidate the technology protection support functions that were previously scattered across different ministries, enabling swift relief for victims and prompt institutional improvements.

Noh Yongseok, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, is speaking at the launch ceremony of the "Pan-Government Task Force to Eradicate Technology Theft of Small and Medium Enterprises" held at the Foundation for Cooperation between Large and Small Businesses in Jung-gu, Seoul. Ministry of SMEs and Startups

On January 22, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups held a launch ceremony for the "Pan-Government Task Force" to support companies affected by technology theft, at the Foundation for Cooperation between Large and Small Businesses in Jung-gu, Seoul.

The Pan-Government Task Force is a follow-up measure to the plan announced on September 10 last year to eradicate technology theft targeting SMEs. It serves as a collaborative platform bringing together six key ministries responsible for technology protection: the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Fair Trade Commission, the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the National Police Agency, and the National Intelligence Service.

Noh Yongseok, First Vice Minister, who attended the event, explained the background of the launch, stating, "As methods of technology theft become increasingly sophisticated and intelligent, it is no longer possible for a single ministry to tackle this issue alone. A pan-governmental response that organically combines technology protection systems, policies, and relief support has become not a choice, but a necessity."

The task force will first focus on establishing a system for inter-ministerial cooperation and division of roles. By introducing a unified reporting and support application channel, tentatively named the "SME Technology Protection Hotline," the task force aims to reduce confusion among companies.

In addition, the task force will coordinate in advance on issues likely to cause disagreements among ministries during the process of revising technology protection-related laws. For systems such as the "Korean-Style Discovery System (K-Discovery)," which are reflected simultaneously in the statutes overseen by multiple ministries, the task force plans to develop joint response strategies to minimize legislative confusion.

Furthermore, the task force will identify collaborative projects that link the authorities and capabilities of each ministry. The plan is to leverage the strengths of each ministry while mutually compensating for blind spots, thereby strengthening the overall technology protection system.

Vice Minister Noh stated, "Protecting the technologies of SMEs is about maintaining a fair market order, which in turn safeguards the industrial competitiveness of Korea. Through the Pan-Government Task Force, we will strive to create an environment where SMEs and innovative companies can confidently develop and pursue new technologies."