At the core of the case was a document called the “Process Recipe Plan.” It covered approximately 600 manufacturing steps that Samsung had refined over time.
Samsung reportedly spent more than 1 trillion won and five years developing the technology. According to prosecutors, Jeon received about 2.9 billion won, or approximately $2 million, over six years. That figure included stock options.
Jeon acknowledged during court proceedings that he was involved in the leak.
A wider case, and a hiring push
Jeon is not the only person facing charges. At least 10 individuals have been charged under South Korea’s Industrial Technology Protection Act in connection with the case.
The broader allegation concerns talent. CXMT has allegedly recruited at least 27 former engineers from Samsung and SK Hynix to help advance its technology.
The reduced sentence adds another wrinkle. Prosecutors and companies hoping for strong deterrence may view a cut from seven years to five as a softer signal than they wanted.
Compensation is the other side of the equation. Prosecutors put Jeon’s earnings at about 2.9 billion won over six years, a sum that shows how much a rival may be willing to pay for the right expertise.
For South Korea, the case tests how well its Industrial Technology Protection Act works in practice. With at least 10 people charged, the outcomes of the remaining proceedings will help show whether the law has real teeth.
