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Photo courtesy of the Prosecution Service |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] The longstanding three-year dispute over alleged technology leakage between automotive parts manufacturers KORENS / KORENS EM and competitor SNT Motiv has once again ended in favor of KORENS, following a decision by prosecutors to dismiss SNT Motiv’s appeal.
KORENS announced on the 27th that the Busan High Prosecutors’ Office on November 21 dismissed in full the appeal filed by SNT Motiv, which had accused KORENS, KORENS EM, their CEO, and three former SNT Motiv employees who had joined KORENS, of violating the Unfair Competition Prevention and Trade Secret Protection Act.
The case dates back to July 2022, when SNT Motiv filed a criminal complaint alleging that three employees who moved to KORENS had leaked trade secrets related to automotive motor technology, and that KORENS had used this information. In July this year, the Busan District Prosecutors' Office (Dongbu Branch) issued a non-indictment decision citing insufficient evidence. SNT Motiv challenged the decision, but the High Prosecutors’ Office upheld the original ruling.
According to prosecutors, SNT Motiv failed to prove that KORENS had unlawfully obtained or leaked the alleged trade secret information—such as adhesive application amounts and drying conditions. Prosecutors also determined that the information was naturally observable in the production process of partner companies and therefore did not qualify as proprietary trade secrets.
SNT Motiv had claimed that KORENS secured motor-related technology by inducing the departure of 27 engineers in motor design, production, and quality. KORENS countered the claims, pointing out that SNT Motiv—operating under strict defense-industry security protocols—filed a complaint against employees who had left the company between 3 and 7 years earlier, calling the allegations “baseless fabrications.”
Following the dismissal, SNT Motiv announced that it plans to pursue further legal remedies.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
