September 10, 2024 – The Korean Office of IP Strategy ＆ Planning, the Presidential Council on Intellectual Property Visits the THPO-IPB

A delegation from Korea, including members of the Office of IP Strategy & Planning, the Presidential Council on Intellectual Property, and the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office, visited the Intellectual Property Branch of Taiwan High Prosecutors’ Office (THPO-IPB; the Office).

At 2 PM on September 10, 2024, Mr. Kim Ji Su, Secretary-General of the Office of IP Strategy & Planning, Presidential Council on Intellectual Property; Mr. Choi Sungkyum, Deputy Director of the Criminal Department VI, Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office; Mr. Ahn Changhoung, Director of the Intellectual Property Creation & Utilization Division; Mr. Lee Wangseok, Advisor to the Intellectual Property Creation & Utilization Division; and Mr. Lee Byungheon, Assistant Deputy Director of the Intellectual Property Creation & Utilization Division, arrived at the Intellectual Property Branch of the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office (THPO-IPB). They attended a meeting with prosecutors from the Office.

Chief Prosecutor Tou-hui Chang welcomed the Korean delegation and presided over a discussion on the protection of intellectual property rights, during which both parties exchanged views on law enforcement. Secretary-General Kim Ji Su expressed gratitude to the Office for the warm reception, stating that the visit was primarily aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the practical operations and experience of centralized jurisdiction in handling intellectual property cases in Taiwan. Head Prosecutor Hsin-hung Cheng, along with Prosecutors Amy H.M. Lo, Jonathan Chu, Wen-chi Huang, Li-hao Chu, and Julie Liu from THPO-IPB, were all in attendance.

Prosecutor Lo briefed the delegation on the Office’s operations, particularly focusing on two major responsibilities related to the centralization of IP criminal cases: "Reviewing IPR reconsideration cases nationwide" and "implementing public prosecutions for trial cases appealed from district courts across the country." Director Ahn Changhoung then elaborated on the role, function, and position of the Presidential Council on Intellectual Property.

The meeting continued with a discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of centralized jurisdiction in intellectual property criminal cases, as well as the investigation and prosecution of trade secret cases in Taiwan. In response to questions raised by Deputy Prosecutor Choi Sungkyum, Taiwan Prosecutors Jonathan Chu, Wen-chi Huang, and Julie Liu provided detailed answers, leading to a lively exchange of ideas.

Chief Prosecutor Chang concluded the meeting by noting that both Taiwan and the Republic of Korea face similar challenges in addressing the theft of trade secrets of the national core key technologies due to scientific and technological advancements. He emphasized that safeguarding trade secrets is a critical issue for judicial bodies. Chang expressed his gratitude to the Korean delegation for sharing insights into their intellectual property protection systems and experiences.