Samsung Etching Process Recipes Reportedly Sent to Lam Research Korea Multiple Times

According to ChainCatcher citing South Korean semiconductor publication THE ELEC, Samsung Electronics found that semiconductor etching process recipes were repeatedly transferred to Lam Research Korea beyond the scope of authorized data access. Samsung discovered the issue in the second half of this year and classified it as a serious technology leak. The transfers involved recipe files that had not been approved for external release and stemmed from improper data requests, rather than a single incident. Under an agreement, Lam Research could access limited equipment data for optimization and maintenance, with its Korean subsidiary submitting requests to Samsung. The recipes contain critical manufacturing parameters, including temperature, chamber pressure, gas flow and processing time. Lam Research Korea announced on November 6 that Kim Tae-won would replace Park Jun-hong as CEO. Some industry observers linked the leadership change to the data leak, but no public information establishes a direct connection. Samsung and Lam Research Korea did not respond to THE ELEC’s requests for comment.