Article 1(Purpose) #
The purpose of this Act is to ensure the national security of the Republic of Korea through systematic protection of defense technologies and support for related institutions as well as to enhance the nation’s credibility by implementing its obligations relating to the security of defense technology under international treaties, etc.
Article 2(Definitions) #
The terms used in this Act are defined as follows:
1. The term "defense technology" means a technology requiring protection for national security, etc., among the defense science and technologies related to the defense industry, as designated and publicly announced by the Administrator of Defense Acquisition Program Administration under Article 7;
2. The term "target institution" means any of the following institutions, which owns defense technology or conducts a research and development project related to defense technology:
(a) The Agency for Defense Development under the Act on the Agency for Defense Development;
(b) The Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the armed forces, the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality, defense contractors and specialized research institutes under the Defense Acquisition Program Act;
(c) Other corporations, research institutions, specialized agencies, universities or colleges, etc.;
3. The term "defense technology security system" means any of the following systems that a target institution uses for the security of defense technology, which shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree:
(a) A system for identifying and managing technologies subject to security management: a system that a target institution uses to systematically identify and manage technologies subject to security control;
(b) A system for access control and facility protection: a system for controlling the entry/exit, access, inspection, etc. by an unauthorized person and for protecting facilities related to defense technology from detection, incursion, etc.;
(c) An information security system: a system for safely protecting information related to defense technology and for detecting and blocking illegal access to such information.
Article 3(Relationship to other Acts) #
This Act shall apply to the security of defense technology, except as otherwise provided for in other Acts.
Article 4(Formulation and implementation of comprehensive plans) #
(1) The Administrator of Defense Acquisition Program Administration shall formulate and implement a comprehensive plan on the security of defense technology (hereinafter referred to as "comprehensive plan") every five years.
(2) When formulating a comprehensive plan, the Administrator of Defense Acquisition Program Administration shall submit the plan for deliberation by the Defense Technology Security Committee prescribed in Article 6.
(3) A comprehensive plan shall provide for each of the following matters:
1. Basic objectives and implementation direction-setting concerning the security of defense technology;
2. Phased objectives and implementation measures concerning the security of defense technology;
3. Matters related to the establishment of infrastructure for defense technology security;
4. Matters related to the research and development of, and support for, technologies for the security of defense technology;
5. Matters related to the collection, analysis, processing, and dissemination of data on the security of defense technology;
6. Matters related to international cooperation for the security of defense technology;
7. Matters related to support for the establishment and operation of a defense technology security system by a target institution;
8. Other matters necessary for the security of defense technology.
(4) When the Administrator of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration formulates a comprehensive plan, the Minister shall submit it to the competent standing committee of the National Assembly and publicly announce it without delay; provided, matters corresponding to defense technology or military secrets that shall be protected pursuant to this Act shall not be disclosed. <Added on Jan. 16, 2024; Dec 3, 2024>
(5) Matters necessary for the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive plan shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Jan. 16, 2024>
Article 5(Formulation and implementation of action plans) #
(1) In accordance with a comprehensive plan, the Administrator of Defense Acquisition Program Administration shall formulate and implement an action plan for the security of defense technology (hereinafter referred to as "action plan") every year.
(2) The Minister of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration shall examine and evaluate the progress of implementation plans each year and reflect the results thereof in the next comprehensive plan when the Minister formulates the comprehensive plan. <Added on Jan. 16, 2024>
(3) Where the Administrator of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration formulates an implementation plan, the Minister shall submit it to the competent standing committee of the National Assembly and publicly announce it without delay; provided, matters corresponding to defense technology or military secrets that shall be protected pursuant to this Act shall not be disclosed. <Added on Jan. 16, 2024; Dec 3, 2024>
(4) Matters necessary for the formulation and implementation of implementation plans shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Jan. 16, 2024>
Article 6(Defense Technology Security Committee) #
(1) The Defense Technology Security Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee") shall be established under the authority of the Minister of National Defense to deliberate on the following matters related to the security of defense technology:
1. Matters related to the formulation and implementation of comprehensive plans and action plans;
2. Matters related to major policies and plans concerning the security of defense technology;
3. Matters related to the designation, change, or cancellation of designation of defense technology under Article 7;
4. Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree as necessary for the security of defense technology.
(2) The Committee shall be comprised of not more than 28 members, including one chairperson. In such cases, at least five persons falling under paragraph (3) 5 shall be included among the members. <Amended on Dec. 3, 2024>
(3) The Minister of National Defense shall become the chairperson of the Committee, the Administrator of Defense Acquisition Program Administration shall become the vice chairperson of the Committee, and the following persons shall serve as its members: <Amended on Mar. 21, 2017; Jul. 26, 2017; Dec. 3, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>
1. Persons determined by Presidential Decree, from among the public officials at assistant ministerial or director general level, or general-level officers of the Ministry of National Defense, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and armed forces;
2. Persons commissioned by the Minister of National Defense from among directors-general of bureaus or higher-ranking public officials of the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups who are recommended by the heads of their respective agencies;
3. The President of the Agency for Defense Development under the Act on the Agency for Defense Development and the President of the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality under the Defense Acquisition Program Act;
4. Persons commissioned by the Minister of National Defense, from among the public officials at assistant ministerial or director general level, or general-level officers of information and investigation agencies determined by Presidential Decree (hereinafter referred to as "information and investigation agency) which are in charge of the affairs related to the security of defense technology, who shall be recommended by the head of the competent agency;
Article 7(Designation, change, cancellation of designation of defense technology) #
(1) The Administrator of Defense Acquisition Program Administration shall designate defense technologies through deliberation by the Committee.
(2) The Administrator of Defense Acquisition Program Administration shall select technologies to be designated as defense technologies under paragraph (1) to the minimum extent necessary, taking into comprehensive account the effects of the technology in question on national security, the research trend in the relevant fields, etc.
(3) The Administrator of Defense Acquisition Program Administration may apply changes to, or cancel the designation of, a defense technology designated through deliberation by the Committee.
(4) Where Administrator of Defense Acquisition Program Administration designates a defense technology pursuant to paragraph (1), or applies changes to, or cancel the designation of, a defense technology designated pursuant to paragraph (3), he or she shall publicly notify such fact.
(5) When deliberating on the designation or change of a defense technology pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (3), the Committee shall provide interested parties, such as a target institution, etc. with an opportunity to state their opinions at their request, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(6) A target institution may ask the Administrator of Defense Acquisition Program Administration to determine whether the technology it possesses is qualified as a defense technology, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(7) The criteria and procedures for the designation, change, and cancellation of designation of a defense technology under paragraphs (1) and (3) and other necessary matters shall be determined by Presidential Decree.
Article 8(Defense technology security in conducting research and development projects) #
(1) The head of a target institution shall devise and implement necessary measures applicable to each phase of research and development in order to prevent development outcomes from being divulged externally in the course of conducting a research and development project related to defense technology.
(2) Matters necessary for the development and implementation of measures pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 9(Defense technology security at time of exportation or domestic transfer) #
(1) The head of a target institution shall devise measures for defense technology security in order to prevent leakage or infringement as defined in Article 10, at the time of exportation (including brokerage between third party countries; hereinafter the same shall apply) or domestic transfer of defense technology.
(2) Article 57 of the Defense Acquisition Program Act and Article 19 of the Foreign Trade Act shall govern the procedures and regulations applicable to the exportation of defense technology, and Article 13 (3) of the Defense Science and Technology Innovation Promotion Act shall apply to the domestic transfer of defense technology. <Amended on Mar. 31, 2020>
(3) For the security of defense technology during the course of its exportation or domestic transfer under paragraphs (1) and (2), the Administrator of Defense Acquisition Program Administration may take necessary action as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 10(Prohibition on leakage or infringement of defense technology) #
No person shall engage in any of the following activities: <Amended on Dec. 3, 2024>
1. Improperly acquiring, using, or disclosing defense technology of a target institution (including providing information to a specific person in secret; hereinafter the same shall apply);
2. Acquiring, using, or disclosing defense technology, knowing the involvement of any activity prescribed in subparagraph 1;
3. Acquiring, using or disclosing defense technology without knowing the involvement of any activity prescribed in subparagraph 1 by gross negligence.
4. Refusing or evading the return of documents, drawings, electronic records, or other special media records related to defense technology, or retaining copies thereof, despite being requested by a target institution to return or delete such defense technology due to the extinction of the right to possess or use the relevant defense technology, by a person who is obligated to maintain confidentiality of the defense technology pursuant to Article 19 or under a contract with the target institution;
5. Refusing or evading, due to gross negligence, the return of documents, drawings, electronic records, or other special media records related to defense technology, or retaining copies thereof, despite being requested by a target institution to return or delete such defense technology due to the extinction of the right to possess or use the relevant defense technology, by a person who is obligated to maintain confidentiality of the defense technology pursuant to Article 19 or under a contract with the target institution.
Article 11(Report on leakage or infringement of defense technology) #
(1) Where an activity falling under any subparagraph of Article 10 is likely to occur or actually occurs, the head of a target institution shall report such fact to the Administrator of Defense Acquisition Program Administration or the head of an information and investigation agency immediately, and may request him or her to investigate and take measures necessary for preventing leakage or infringement of defense technology. <Amended on Dec. 22, 2020>
(2) Upon receipt of a request under paragraph (1) or recognition of any prohibited act under Article 10, the Administrator of Defense Acquisition Program Administration or the head of an information and investigation agency shall investigate and take measures necessary for preventing leakage or infringement of defense technology; provided, the head of an information and investigation agency established pursuant to Article 2 (3) of the Act on the Organization of National Armed Forces may investigate and take measures only where the defense technology leaked or infringed falls under military secrets under the Military Secret Protection Act. <Amended on Dec. 22, 2020>
Article 11-2(Investigation) #
(1) The Administrator of Defense Acquisition Program Administration or the head of an information and investigation agency, in order to collect information or data necessary for verifying leakage or infringement of defense technology, may demand a person subject to investigation (referring to a legal entity, organization or its organ, or individual that is subject to investigation; hereafter the same shall apply in this Article) to make appearances, make statements, submit reporting, or submit materials, or may conduct field investigation or inspection of documents.
(2) The Administrator of Defense Acquisition Program Administration or the head of an information and investigation agency shall send a written demand for appearance stating the following matters when making a demand for appearance and statement pursuant to paragraph (1). In such cases, an investigator (referring to a public official or employee of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration or the information and investigation agency that conducts investigation) shall complete the investigation without demanding any additional appearance of the person subject to investigation, except where the purposes of the investigation may not be attainable because the person subject to investigation present fails to fulfill the matters stated in the written demand for appearance pursuant to paragraph (1).
1. Date, time, and place;
2. Purport of the demand for appearance;
3. Matters to be stated while appearing;
4. Materials to be submitted;
5. Sanctions for non-compliance with the demand for appearance (including enabling statutes and regulations and the provisions thereof);
6. Other necessary matters in relation to the relevant investigation.
(3) The Administrator of Defense Acquisition Program Administration or the head of an information and investigation agency shall send a written demand for report including the following matters when demanding a report of investigated matters from the person subject to investigation pursuant to paragraph (1):
1. Date, time, and place;
2. Purposes and scope of the investigation;
3. Matters to be reported;
4. Sanctions for non-compliance with the demand for reporting (including enabling statutes and regulations and the provisions thereof);
Article 12(Current status investigation into defense technology system) #
(1) Where it is necessary to protect defense technology, the Administrator of Defense Acquisition Program Administration may investigate the current status of the establishment and operation of a system for protecting defense technology by a target institution.
(2) Matters necessary for the subjects, scope, method, etc. of a current status investigation shall be determined by Presidential Decree.
Article 13(Establishment and operation of system for defense technology security systems) #
(1) The head of a target institution shall establish and operate a defense technology security system in order to protect defense technology including the following measures: <Amended on Dec. 3, 2024>
1. Designation of protected zones, permission for entry thereto, or inspection of belongings upon entry;
2. Execution of contracts concerning the management of job changes and confidentiality obligations of professional personnel handling defense technology;
3. Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree to prevent the leakage of defense technology.
(2) In consideration of the results of a current status investigation referred to in Article 12 or the opinions of an information and investigation agency, etc., if it is deemed that a defense technology security system has been poorly established or operated, the Administrator of Defense Acquisition Program Administration may recommend that the head of the relevant target institution make necessary improvements.
(3) Where it is deemed that a target institution has failed to comply with an improvement recommendation prescribed in paragraph (2) or has implemented it unconscientiously, the Administrator of Defense Acquisition Program Administration may issue a corrective order to the head of such target institution.
(4) No person shall evade, refuse, or obstruct any of the measures related to the operation of a defense technology security system referred to in paragraphs (1) and (3) without good cause.
(5) Matters necessary for the procedures, methods, etc. for the establishment and operation of a defense technology security system, improvement recommendation, and corrective order pursuant to paragraphs (1) through (3) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 13-2(Establishment of guidelines for the protection of defense technology) #
(1) The Administrator of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration shall establish guidelines (hereinafter referred to as "protection guidelines") concerning the necessary methods and procedures to prevent the leakage of and to protect defense technology, after collecting opinions from experts, institutions, and organizations in the relevant fields.
(2) The Administrator of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration shall periodically revise and supplement the protection guidelines, taking into consideration the results of the fact-finding survey under Article 12 and other factors, and shall ensure that the target institutions may utilize such guidelines.
[This Article Added on Dec. 3, 2024]
Article 14(Support for defense technology security) #
(1) The Government may provide the following support to a target institution if deemed necessary for the security of defense technology when the target institution establishes and operates a defense technology security system or takes measures for complying with an improvement recommendation or corrective order:
1. Consultation on and financial support for the establishment and operation of a defense technology security system;
2. Support for fostering professional human resources in defense technology security;
3. Technical support, and support for technology development, for the defense technology security;
4. Other matters necessary for the security of defense technology.
(2) Matters necessary for the method, scope, procedures, etc. for the support prescribed in paragraph (1) shall be determined by Presidential Decree.
Article 15(International cooperation) #
The Government may perform necessary projects such as establishment of a collaboration system with countries of export or import, exchange of professional human resources, etc. in order to promote international cooperation concerning the security of defense technology.
Article 16(Education on security of defense technology) #
(1) For the purposes of defense technology security, the Administrator of Defense Acquisition Program Administration may provide education to the executive officers and other employees of a target institution.
(2) For the purpose of defense technology security, the head of a target institution shall regularly provide education to its executive officers and other employees.
(3) Matters necessary for the contents, methods, period, cycle, etc. of the education prescribed in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be determined by Presidential Decree.
Article 16-2(Dedicated agency for support in protecting defense technology) #
(1) The Administrator of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration may designate an institution affiliated with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration that meets the requirements prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as human resources and organizational structure, as a dedicated agency to efficiently carry out tasks related to the prevention of leakage and protection of defense technology.
(2) A dedicated agency designated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall perform the following tasks:
1. Supporting security control and monitoring of cyberattacks and threats for target institutions;
2. Supporting response and cause analysis in the event of leakage or infringement of technology at target institutions;
3. Supporting inspection of cybersecurity vulnerabilities at target institutions;
4. Supporting the formulation and implementation of comprehensive plans;
5. Supporting the formulation and implementation of implementation plans;
6. Supporting the designation, modification, cancellation, and determination of defense technology under Article 7;
7. Supporting the conduct of fact-finding surveys under Article 12;
8. Supporting education on the protection and export and import of defense industrial materials, defense science and technology, and strategic materials;
9. Supporting the export license procedures for strategic materials pursuant to Article 19 of the Foreign Trade Act;
10. Other tasks prescribed by Presidential Decree to achieve the purpose of designation as a dedicated agency.
(3) The Administrator of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration may revoke the designation of a dedicated agency if it falls under any of the following subparagraphs; provided, where it falls under subparagraph 1, the designation shall be revoked:
1. Where the designation was obtained by fraud or other wrongful means;
2. Where the designated agency fails to perform its designated tasks without a justifiable reason for one month or longer.
(4) Matters necessary for the designation and revocation of designation of a dedicated agency under paragraphs (1) through (3) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 17(Reward and protection of reporters) #
(1) The Government may reward, or pay a monetary reward to, a person who contributes significantly to the security of defense technology, within budgetary limits.
(2) Matters necessary for the criteria, methods and procedures for the reward, payment of a monetary reward, etc. under paragraph (1) shall be determined by Presidential Decree.
(3) The Protection of Public Interest Reporters Act shall apply to the report on leakage or infringement of defense technology, reward and protection of a reporter.
Article 18(Request for materials) #
With respect to the following matters, the Administrator of Defense Acquisition Program Administration may ask the head of a relevant administrative agency or the head of a target institution to submit data, and in such cases, any person in receipt of a request to submit data shall comply therewith in the absence of special circumstances:
1. Matters related to the establishment of security infrastructure and the research and development of security of defense technology pursuant to Article 4 (3) 3 and 4;
2. Designation, change or cancellation of the designation of defense technology pursuant to Article 7;
3. Confirmation of the development of security measures and the implementation thereof at the time of exportation or domestic transfer pursuant to Article 9 (1);
4. Current status Investigation under Article 12 (1).
Article 18-2(Report to the National Assembly on the status of defense technology leakage) #
The Administrator of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration shall, in accordance with the Presidential Decree, report annually on a regular basis to the competent standing committee of the National Assembly regarding the status of acts of leakage or infringement under Article 10 committed for the purpose of using or enabling the use of defense technology in foreign countries, and the measures taken by the Government under this Act.
[This Article Added on Dec. 3, 2024]
Article 19(Obligation of confidentiality) #
No person who falls or previously fell under any of the following subparagraphs shall divulge or misuse any confidential information learned in the performance of his or her duties:
1. Any executive officer or employee of a target institution (including related persons such as professors, researchers, students, etc.);
2. Any person who deliberates on the security of defense technology under Article 6;
3. Any person who conducts the duties related to the exportation, domestic transfer, etc. of defense technology under Article 9 (1);
4. Any person who conducts the duties of receiving reports on, and preventing, leakage or infringement of defense technology under Article 11;
5. Any person who conducts an investigation on the current status of the establishment and operation of a defense technology security system under Article 12.
Article 20(Legal fiction as public officials in application of penalty provisions) #
Any person who conducts any of the following duties shall be deemed a public official for the purpose of applying Articles 129 through 132 of the Criminal Act:
1. Any person who is not a public official from among the members of the Committee, who conducts any of the duties of designation, changing or cancelling the designation, of defense technology pursuant to Article 7;
2. Any person who conducts any of the duties related to a current status investigation on pursuant to Article 12.
Article 21(Penalty provisions) #
(1) A person who commits any act falling under subparagraphs 1, 2, or 4 of Article 10 for the purpose of using defense technology in foreign countries or enabling its use in foreign countries shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not less than one year, and may also be punished by a fine not exceeding 2 billion won. <Amended on Nov. 28, 2017; Dec. 3, 2024>
(2) A person who commits any act falling under subparagraphs 1, 2, or 4 of Article 10 shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than 10 years or by a fine not exceeding 1 billion won. <Amended on Nov. 28, 2017; Dec. 3, 2024>
(3) A person who commits any act falling under subparagraphs 3 or 5 of Article 10 shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than five years or by a fine not exceeding 500 million won. <Amended on Nov. 28, 2017; Dec. 3, 2024>
(4) Any person who divulges or misuses confidential information in violation of Article 19 shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than 7 years, suspension of qualification for not more than 10 years, or by a fine not exceeding 70 million won.
(5) Any property acquired by a person who has committed an offence falling under any of paragraphs (1) through (3) through such offence shall be confiscated; provided, where all or part of such property cannot be confiscated, a sum of money equivalent thereto shall be collected.
(6) Any person who has attempted a crime under paragraphs (1) or (2) shall be punished.
(7) Imprisonment with labor and a fine under paragraphs (2) and (3) may be imposed concurrently. <Amended on Dec. 3, 2024>
Article 22(Preparation and plotting) #
(1) Any person that prepares or plots to commit a crime under Article 21 (1) with the intention to consummate the same shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than five years or by a fine not exceeding 50 million won.
(2) Any person who prepares or conspires to commit a crime under Article 21 (2) with the intention to consummate such crime shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than three years or by a fine not exceeding 30 million won.
Article 23(Joint penalty provisions) #
Where the representative of a corporation or an agent or employee of, or other persons employed by, the corporation or an individual commits any violation described in Article 21 (1) through (3) in conducting the business affairs of the corporation or individual, the corporation or individual shall, in addition to the punishment of the violators, be subject to a fine prescribed in the relevant Article; provided, this shall not apply where such corporation or individual has not been negligent in giving due attention and supervision concerning the relevant business in order to prevent such violation.
Article 24(Administrative fines) #
(1) Any of the following persons shall be punished by an administrative fine not exceeding 30 million won:
1. Any person who fails to report leakage or infringement of defense technology which is required under Article 11 (1);
2. Any person who fails to comply with a corrective order provided for in Article 13 (3);
3. Any person who evades, refuses, or obstructs any measure related to the operation of a defense technology security system provided in Article 13 (4);
4. With respect to Article 18, the head of a target institution (excluding administrative agencies) which fails to submit relevant data or submits false data.
(2) Administrative fines under paragraph (1) shall be imposed and collected by the Administrator of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Jan. 16, 2024>