The Korea Herald reports that during the last few weeks, critical information regarding OLED technologies and plans has been leaked from LG Display's headquarters. The company suspects espionage from Chinese-based companies.
LGD carried out a search for eavesdropping devices in meeting rooms - but they found no evidence. LGD is truly concerned, though, as information discussed at C-level meetings was leaked several times recently.
LGD has good reason to be concerned, it seems. In June 2018 the South Korean prosecution indicted several officials that allegedly tried to sell Samsung's OLED technology secrets to China. These officials include Korean and Chinese researchers - and also a professor at a national Korean research institution.
In May 2012 employees at Israeli company Orbotech's local Korean branch were accused of leaking OLED technology form both LGD and SDC to several Chinese and Taiwanese companies. But it's not just Chinese companies - in 2012 LGD was charged with stealing OLED secrets from Samsung Display as well.
In 2012 it was also reported that former AUO employees sold AMOLED technology secrets to China's CSoT.
OLED information is also finding its way from Korea to China in other ways. Chinese display makers are hiring employees from LGD and Samsung Display - offering high salaries as displays makers in China hurry to compete with the leading Korean OLED makers.
