South Korea investigates researchers on suspicion of leaking Nuri technology, final decision: ”No disciplinary action to be taken”

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute held a disciplinary committee, more than half of whose members are external, and made the final decision not to discipline four researchers who were under investigation for allegedly leaking technology.
Prior to this, the Ministry of Science and ICT of Korea had said that the four were suspected of inserting and removing external storage devices from the institute's computers, as well as excessively browsing technology-related materials during a certain period of time.
The institute announced that it would investigate the incident and take disciplinary action against those involved. In 2023, Cho Kwang-rye, the former director of the institute who led the development of the Nuri rocket, was transferred to defense giant Hanwha.
Cho has been the subject of controversy since he left the hospital, citing his intention to transfer to Arosspace. Following Cho, about 10 others have announced their intention to leave, including the four who were the subject of this investigation.
The prosecutors conducted an investigation in response to the allegations, but concluded in April, seven months after it began, that there was insufficient evidence.
The move is also likely to strengthen the case of the four, who have argued that the investigation into the Korea Aerospace Research Institute was politically motivated.
"This is a retaliatory investigation against our request to transfer the agency to the Japan Aeronautics and Space Agency."