How patent examination promotes Korea’s EV future: an interview with Jang Jung-ah

The central role technology plays in introducing tangible solutions to the climate crisis raises the question of how new technology is approved to develop and become spread across different sectors. In this brief written interview, Dr. Jang Jung-ah at the Ministry of Intellectual Property discussed how secondary batteries are scrutinized for examination and the professional challenge of keeping up with an industry that generates thousands of new patents daily.

First, could you tell us about the work you’re currently doing?

I’m a secondary battery examiner at the Korean Intellectual Property Office. Secondary batteries are such a crucial field—often referred to as the “second semiconductor”—that the future of our country hinges on them.  

What does secondary battery patent examination entail?

Simply put, it’s the process of verifying the originality of a technology. For example, let’s say a company developed a technology that mixes new chemical substances to make smartphone batteries last longer. The examiner’s role is to meticulously evaluate whether this technology is truly unique (novelty) and whether it goes beyond what any expert would naturally think of (inventive step), ultimately granting a certificate (patent) that says, “You are the owner of this technology.”

What is the impact of designating national strategic technologies and launching a dedicated organization for patent examination?

On the ground, we can feel firsthand that a “race against time” has begun. In the past, it could take over a year to obtain a single patent, but now, thanks to the Korean Intellectual Property Office’s priority examination system, results can be received within a few months. From a company’s perspective, this means they can quickly protect the technology they’ve developed, apply it directly to products, and export them. For researchers, this has created an environment where they can immerse themselves in more innovative research, accompanied by a sense of pride that they are protected at the national level.

What are some key focus areas during examination?

These days, we pay the closest attention to safety and high efficiency. Have you seen news reports about electric vehicle fires? That’s why we place great importance on patents for cooling technologies that prevent battery thermal runaway and materials resistant to impact. Additionally, due to global shortages of raw materials like lithium, there’s a surge in technologies for battery recycling or using cheaper alternatives like sodium instead of lithium—we pay close attention to these latest trends.

What differentiates good and weak patents?

Good patents are ones that cast a wide net, covering the technology’s scope like a fine mesh. Instead of limiting it to just substance A, it broadly defines the scope to include substances B and C that have similar properties to A. Weak patents are ones that cling too tightly to a single, specific numerical value. For example, if it states, “Operates only at 50 degrees Celsius,” a competitor could easily circumvent it by saying, “Ours operates at 51 degrees.” 

Overall, the most common mistake is revealing the technology too early through academic papers or trade shows. A patent must cover something “previously unknown to the world,” but if you disclose it yourself first, it becomes “prior art” and you may not be able to obtain a patent.

What are some challenges you experience in the examination process?

The biggest challenge is the flood of information. Lithium-ion battery technology changes by the day, and thousands of papers and patents are published worldwide every day. Examiners feel constant pressure to keep studying because they cannot afford to miss even a single similar technology. However, when I see electric vehicles equipped with technology I examine driving on the road, I feel a great sense of fulfillment knowing that I have helped maintain South Korea’s technological competitiveness.