A supplier of military defense and aerospace materials has accused former employees and business partners of orchestrating a scheme to steal confidential information and violate a federal court’s restraining order, according to a verified complaint filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. The lawsuit was submitted by Airtech International, Inc. on April 8, 2026, against Tik Electronics, Inc., Tik Electronics (Nevada), Intae Kim, SE-A Electronics Co., Ltd., Unione Tech Corp., Yoon Jeong Ahn, as well as unnamed individuals and entities.
The complaint outlines Airtech’s allegations that the defendants engaged in a deliberate effort over multiple years to misappropriate trade secrets belonging to Airtech. The company asserts that these actions included the willful violation of a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by the federal court in March 2022 during earlier litigation involving some of the same parties. According to Airtech, after being subject to the TRO—which prohibited certain business dealings using proprietary data—defendants continued prohibited transactions through newly formed shell companies.
Airtech alleges that Byungchan “Roy” Yim, its former General Manager and Head of Information Technology, stole sensitive company data such as part lists, pricing histories, vendor relationships, export-controlled information, and other confidential materials while still employed at Airtech. The filing states that Hyo Sun Kim and defendant Intae Kim knowingly assisted Yim in exploiting this stolen data by forming new entities designed to compete directly with Airtech. These efforts allegedly included soliciting Airtech’s customers—specifically SE-A Electronics Co., Ltd. and Unione Tech Corp.—while Yim remained an employee at Airtech.
The legal dispute centers on events following two court orders issued on March 15 and March 28, 2022. These orders expressly barred Yim, his companies, or anyone acting in concert with them from conducting any business with specified customers using Airtech’s proprietary information or for parts developed or purchased during Yim’s employment at Airtech. Despite receiving actual notice of these restrictions—as documented by emails sent to defendants—SE-A Electronics Co., Ltd., Unione Tech Corp., and their representative Yoon Jeong Ahn are alleged to have continued placing orders with Yim through Tik Electronics Inc. (formed April 1, 2022) and Tik Electronics (Nevada) (formed June 6, 2023). Both companies were created after entry of the TRO.
According to invoices cited in the complaint, from March 2022 through at least 2025 SE-A Electronics Co., Ltd., Unione Tech Corp., and Ahn transacted approximately $4.5 million in what Airtech describes as prohibited business using its stolen trade secrets. Specific examples include multiple invoices for parts previously purchased from Airtech—transactions which could not have occurred without access to confidential technical specifications or pricing data.
The filing further details how Yim allegedly took two computers containing highly sensitive information from Airtech before resigning in September 2021. Although he returned the devices months later after demands from Airtech management, forensic analysis showed that their operating systems had been reinstalled while out of company custody—a step which the plaintiff claims confirms copying of all data prior to return.
Airtech also claims that Yim set up server-level forwarding rules so emails—including those between company executives and legal counsel—were automatically sent to his personal accounts even after his departure. This allegedly gave him unlawful access to privileged correspondence about ongoing litigation strategy.
In addition to claims under federal law—the Defend Trade Secrets Act—and state law—the New Jersey Trade Secrets Act—the complaint includes counts for aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty; tortious interference with prospective economic advantage; unjust enrichment; civil conspiracy; and civil contempt for violating court orders.
Airtech is seeking compensatory damages for financial losses attributed to lost customer relationships and competitive advantage; punitive damages; treble damages where permitted by statute; restitution; attorneys’ fees; seizure of misappropriated trade secrets; coercive sanctions for contempt; injunctive relief barring future violations; pre-judgment interest; post-judgment interest; costs; as well as any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The case is being handled by Christine M. Bae of Kim & Bae P.C., representing plaintiff Airtech International Inc. The case number is 2:26-cv-03697.
Source: 226cv03697_Airtech_International_Inc_v_Tik_Electronics_Inc_Complaint_District_New_Jersey.pdf
