Korean prosecutors raid three global chip suppliers — memory-interface pricing allegations under investigation
TL;DR
Korean prosecutors raided Montage, Renesas, and Rambus over alleged chip-price collusion.
A rare cross-border search: Korean prosecutors raided the local offices of Montage Technology, Renesas Electronics, and Rambus on July 15 while investigating allegations that the three semiconductor suppliers colluded on prices. The Fair Trade Investigation Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office executed the searches on suspicion of violating the Fair Trade Act. The case remains under investigation, and no court has found the three companies liable.
The companies searched were China's Montage Technology, Japan's Renesas, and the United States' Rambus. Korean reports said prosecutors obtained mobile phones and other materials from some company officials. Investigators will examine whether the companies exchanged pricing information, when and how broadly any contacts occurred, and whether any conduct affected actual supply prices.
The three companies supply memory interface chips and related components to memory manufacturers including Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Micron. A memory interface chip sits between a CPU or GPU and DRAM or HBM, controlling high-speed data transfers and maintaining signal quality. The component is also part of the AI-chip supply chain.
Maeil Business Newspaper reported that prosecutors opened the case after identifying suspected evidence themselves. Seoul Economic Daily reported only that prosecutors had detected alleged price collusion. Neither outlet reported an indictment, guilty plea, or judgment. Materials removed by prosecutors on July 15 included company officials' mobile phones.
via Maeil Business Newspaper / Seoul Economic Daily / Chosun Daily
The companies searched were China's Montage Technology, Japan's Renesas, and the United States' Rambus. Korean reports said prosecutors obtained mobile phones and other materials from some company officials. Investigators will examine whether the companies exchanged pricing information, when and how broadly any contacts occurred, and whether any conduct affected actual supply prices.
The three companies supply memory interface chips and related components to memory manufacturers including Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Micron. A memory interface chip sits between a CPU or GPU and DRAM or HBM, controlling high-speed data transfers and maintaining signal quality. The component is also part of the AI-chip supply chain.
Maeil Business Newspaper reported that prosecutors opened the case after identifying suspected evidence themselves. Seoul Economic Daily reported only that prosecutors had detected alleged price collusion. Neither outlet reported an indictment, guilty plea, or judgment. Materials removed by prosecutors on July 15 included company officials' mobile phones.
via Maeil Business Newspaper / Seoul Economic Daily / Chosun Daily
