Seoul: The government will strengthen its cooperation with related authorities to better protect industrial technologies and intellectual properties (IPs) amid fierce global competition in advanced technologies, the industry ministry said Thursday. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy discussed joining hands with the Korean Intellectual Property Office to strengthen their capabilities in IP protection in a joint forum on economic security, according to ministry officials.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the move comes amid a continued increase in technology leak cases, the ministry said. Over the past five years, South Korea identified some 100 technology leakage cases, which are estimated to have led to a combined financial damage of 23 trillion won (US$16.2 billion), according to data compiled by the National Intelligence Service.
“Robust protection of technologies and IPs is crucial to strengthening economic security,” Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo said. The government will put in “all-out efforts” to advance core national strategies and enhance capabilities to protect them by actively utilizing patent information, Cheong added.