A Study on the Challenges and Improvement Measures in Investigating Defense Industry Crimes

doi:10.15683/kosdi.2026.9.30.842

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2026 Vol.22, Issue 3 Preview Page Next Page

Original Article

A Study on the Challenges and Improvement Measures in Investigating Defense Industry Crimes 방위산업범죄 수사의 어려움과 개선방안: 신재헌*
Jaehun Shin*; Deputy Director for Investigation Policy, Criminal Investigation Command, Ministry of National Defense, Seoul, Republic of Korea

30 September 2026. pp. 842-850

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Abstract

Purpose: This study analyzes the characteristics of defense industry crimes, including defense procurement corruption and defense technology leakage. It examines the legal and institutional limitations that arise in investigating and punishing such crimes. Based on this analysis, the study proposes measures to improve the effectiveness of investigation and punishment. Method: To achieve the purpose of this study, relevant prior studies, statistical data, and related materials were reviewed and analyzed. Result: This study found that defense industry crimes involve overlapping elements of corruption, economic interests, and national security. Despite their seriousness, effective investigation and punishment remain limited. Key obstacles include the limited applicability of espionage laws and the difficulty of proving technology leakage. Additional challenges arise from conflicts between security and human rights and fragmented jurisdiction among agencies. Conclusion: This study proposes reforms to improve the investigation and punishment of defense industry crimes. Key measures include integrating investigative authority, revising relevant laws, adjusting confidential procedures, and updating sentencing guidelines.

Keywords

Defense Industry Crime

White-Collar Crime

Defense Industry

Technology Leakage and Infringement

Challenges in Investigating Defense Industry Crimes

연구목적: 이 연구는 최근 대한민국 방위산업의 급격한 성장 이면에서 지속적으로 발생하고 있는 방위산업 범죄(방위사업 비리 및 방위산업기술 유출)의 특성을 분석하고, 이를 수사하고 처벌하는 과정에서 나타나는 법적·제도적 한계를 진단하여 개선방안을 도출하기 위한 목적을 가지고 있다. 연구방법: 이 연구의 목적을 달성하기 위하여 관련 선행연구 및 관련 통계 등을 이용하여 목적을 달성하고자 하였다. 연구결과: 이 연구에서는 방위산업 범죄는 부패, 경제, 국가안보 요소가 중첩된 고위험 범죄임에도 불구하고, 현행 형법의 간첩죄 적용 한계, 기술유출범죄의 까다로운 입증 요건, 수사 절차상의 보안과 인권의 충돌, 그리고 관할 기관의 분절화로 인해 실효적인 수사와 처벌이 이루어지지 못하고 있다는 것을 설명하였다. 결론: 그 개선방안으로 관할·수사권의 통합, 방위산업기술보호법 및 형법 등 실체법의 개정, 기밀 수사절차의 조정, 그리고 양형기준의 현실화라는 네 가지 축을 중심으로 학술적·실무적 개선방안을 제언한다.

키워드

방위산업범죄

화이트컬러범죄

방위산업

기술유출·침해

방산범죄수사의 어려움

References

Cho, Y.-S. (2023). “Review of the amendment to the defense industry technology protection act: Focusing on definitions, infringements, and criminal punishment provisions.” Korean Journal of Industrial Security, Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 47-71.
Cho, Y.-S. (2025). “Major revisions and review of criminal punishment provisions of laws related to industrial security.” Korean Journal of Industrial Security, Vol. 15, No. 2, pp. 11-35.
Choi, G.-I., Chae, W.-S. (2018). “Diagnosing and analyzing the punishment status of corruption in defense acquisition.” Journal of the Korea Association of Defense Industry Studies, Vol. 25, No. 4, pp. 13-31. 10.52798/KADIS.2018.25.4.2
Goedde, P. (2015). “Protecting attorney-client privilege in the context of U.S. national security.” Sung Kyun Kwan Law Review, Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 159-189. 10.17008/skklr.2015.27.4.006
Kim, Y.-S. (2011). “A study on the criminal laws of security in the defense industry of South Korea.” Korean Journal of Industrial Security, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 49-90.
Nam, Y.-J., Chang, I.-H. (2023). “A study on the improvement direction of the defense industrial technology protection act and the role of the police.” The Journal of Police Science, Vol. 23, No. 2, pp. 59-94. 10.22816/POLSCI.2023.23.2.003
Nam, Y.-J., Chang, I.-H. (2023). “A study on the improvement direction of the sentencing guidelines for defense industrial security crime.” Criminal Investigation Studies, Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 141-169. 10.46225/CIS.2023.12.9.3.141
Park, H.-M. (2016). Research on Preventing Defense Industry Corruption and Strengthening Its Criminal Punishments. Korean Institute of Criminology, 16-AB-11, Seoul. Korea.
Shin, H.-R. (2008). A Study on the Analysis & Countermeasure of the Real Condition for Defense Industry Secrecy-spillage. Master’s Thesis, Dongguk University.
Song, S.-E. (2025). “The criminal countermeasures against the outflow of defense technology.” Legal Theory & Practice Review, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 297-327. 10.30833/LTPR.2025.02.13.1.297

Information

Publisher :The Korean Society of Disaster Information
Publisher(Ko) :한국재난정보학회
Journal Title :Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
Journal Title(Ko) :한국재난정보학회논문집
Volume : 22
No :3
Pages :842-850
DOI :https://doi.org/10.15683/kosdi.2026.9.30.842

[1] Cho, Y.-S. (2023). “Review of the amendment to the defense industry technology protection act: Focusing on definitions, infringements, and criminal punishment provisions.” Korean Journal of Industrial Security, Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 47-71.

[2] Cho, Y.-S. (2025). “Major revisions and review of criminal punishment provisions of laws related to industrial security.” Korean Journal of Industrial Security, Vol. 15, No. 2, pp. 11-35.

[3] Choi, G.-I., Chae, W.-S. (2018). “Diagnosing and analyzing the punishment status of corruption in defense acquisition.” Journal of the Korea Association of Defense Industry Studies, Vol. 25, No. 4, pp. 13-31. 10.52798/KADIS.2018.25.4.2

[4] Goedde, P. (2015). “Protecting attorney-client privilege in the context of U.S. national security.” Sung Kyun Kwan Law Review, Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 159-189. 10.17008/skklr.2015.27.4.006

[5] Kim, Y.-S. (2011). “A study on the criminal laws of security in the defense industry of South Korea.” Korean Journal of Industrial Security, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 49-90.

[6] Nam, Y.-J., Chang, I.-H. (2023). “A study on the improvement direction of the defense industrial technology protection act and the role of the police.” The Journal of Police Science, Vol. 23, No. 2, pp. 59-94. 10.22816/POLSCI.2023.23.2.003

[7] Nam, Y.-J., Chang, I.-H. (2023). “A study on the improvement direction of the sentencing guidelines for defense industrial security crime.” Criminal Investigation Studies, Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 141-169. 10.46225/CIS.2023.12.9.3.141

[8] Park, H.-M. (2016). Research on Preventing Defense Industry Corruption and Strengthening Its Criminal Punishments. Korean Institute of Criminology, 16-AB-11, Seoul. Korea.

[9] Shin, H.-R. (2008). A Study on the Analysis & Countermeasure of the Real Condition for Defense Industry Secrecy-spillage. Master’s Thesis, Dongguk University.

[10] Song, S.-E. (2025). “The criminal countermeasures against the outflow of defense technology.” Legal Theory & Practice Review, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 297-327. 10.30833/LTPR.2025.02.13.1.297

Journal of the Society of Disaster Information ISSN:1976-2208(Print) 2671-5287(Online) 한국재난정보학회논문집

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