Welcome to The Spy Hunter newsletter!
The Spy Hunter analyzes state-sponsored industrial espionage and economic security issues, focusing on Northeast Asia. Published twice a week, with content for free and paid subscribers, it analyzes the latest developments and provides actionable insights for decision makers. This is the definitive newsletter for businesspeople, government officials, and academics who need to understand the region’s evolving economic and political landscape.
The Spy Hunter is written by me, Ben Forney. I am an East Asia economic security consultant with a PhD in state-sponsored industrial espionage, based in South Korea. I am the Founder & Managing Director of Lazlo Intelligence, a consulting firm focusing on geopolitical risks in Asia.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out here on Substack or send an email to ben.forney@lazlointelligence.com. Thanks for reading!
Selected Publications
Chinese Espionage in South Korea is a U.S. Intelligence Problem - SpyTalk
Europe Could Be Supporting Russia’s War via ‘Seven Sons’ Partnerships - The Jamestown Foundation
Changing South Korea’s Espionage Law is Good for Business - Korea Economic Institute of America
South Korean Industrial Security Policy: A Review of Commercial Espionage Legislation and Institutional Structures - The Journal of International and Area Studies
Decoding South Korea’s tech classifications: Strategies and stakes - Korea Pro
Recent Media Appearances
China arrests South Korean chip engineer on espionage charges - Financial Times
Seoul’s Big Switch - The Wire China
The South Korean ‘master’ of chips accused of sharing secrets with China - Financial Times
South Koreans charged with leaking submarine secrets to Taiwan - Financial Times
