At least 27 semiconductor engineers with over 15 years of experience from Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have transitioned to China’s Changxin Memory Technologies (CXMT). This group includes experts in circuit design, process integration, and yield management, raising concerns that a Chinese memory company is acquiring both equipment and production experience accumulated in South Korea.
On October 6, Rep. Choi Soo-jin of the ruling People Power Party revealed findings from an investigation conducted the previous day, confirming the employment history of 23 individuals from Samsung and 8 from SK Hynix at CXMT. Excluding 4 individuals with overlapping experience, the total stands at 27. The investigation was based on publicly available profiles, such as those on LinkedIn. The average tenure at the two domestic companies was 15.4 years, including 6 senior executives with over 20 years of experience.
In terms of job roles, 8 individuals specialized in circuit design and layout, 7 in process integration, and 4 each in unit process and equipment technology, as well as yield and defect analysis. Personnel with expertise in advanced packaging and fab planning were also identified. The office interpreted this as a 'turnkey scouting' of personnel necessary for factory construction and production stabilization. However, it noted that the investigation did not confirm organized recruitment or actual technology transfer based solely on publicly available experience.
Of the 27 individuals, 15 joined CXMT after working at equipment and materials companies, universities, or other semiconductor firms. Among those investigated, 26 have already left CXMT, with an average tenure of 2.9 years. Seven of them moved to companies in China and Hong Kong, such as Huawei's Hong Kong Research Institute and SMIC. Six have returned to South Korea. The office raised concerns about potential evasion of non-compete agreements and the possibility of short-term technology absorption, but it did not confirm any violations of individual contracts or reasons for departure.
Messages from headhunters obtained by the office indicated that CXMT is seeking senior-level personnel with experience in HBM bonding. They also offered salary increases, guarantees of employment for 3 to 5 years, and support for housing and children's education. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy responded to the office, stating, 'There is no legal basis for monitoring or restricting the legitimate recruitment and headhunting of personnel by foreign companies.'
The office called for enhanced measures, citing the U.S. designation of companies related to CXMT. Since June 30, the U.S. has restricted direct defense procurement contracts with companies on that list, and indirect procurement restrictions involving their products and services will take effect on June 30 of next year.
Rep. Choi Soo-jin stated, 'Semiconductor technology is not just about design; it encompasses the experience and know-how accumulated over 20 or 30 years.' She emphasized the need for the government to establish a system to monitor and manage the movement of key personnel to competing firms, while also providing exceptional compensation and re-employment incentives to ensure talent can thrive domestically.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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