Korea indicts researchers for leaking core hybrid technology

Seven senior researchers at Ssangyong Motor were indicted in Korean court for leaking core technology for building hybrid cars to its Chinese parent company, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. According to the prosecution, the seven leaked the “source code” for the hydraulic control unit of a hybrid vehicle to the Chinese company upon request from a Chinese senior researcher in July 2006. The hydraulic control unit controls the engine and transmission of a hybrid vehicle to optimize fuel efficiency and functions. In 2006, Ssangyong developed the technology jointly with German company FEV with 5.6 billion won (US$4.82 million) in state funding support. Korea’s state committee on the protection of industrial technology designated the technology as a “core state technology” managed by the Knowledge Economy Ministry in August 2007. (November 12, 2009)