South Korea's Rewritten Espionage Law Takes Effect Sept 13, Up to 30 Years for Leaking Chip Secrets

South Korea's amended Article 98 takes effect Sept 13 after passing the National Assembly in February, broadening espionage from acts benefiting North Korea to acts benefiting any 'foreign country or equivalent organization' — the country's first major espionage-law rewrite in 73 years. Courts can now impose up to 30 years for passing sensitive technology abroad. Officials frame the shift as protection of Samsung and SK Hynix from Chinese recruitment of engineers; Samsung controls 38% of global DRAM and SK Hynix 25%, with over half of last year's overseas tech leaks reportedly involving China.