US, Nov. 12 -- Chip major NVIDIA's independent directors have appointed Joon H. Kim, former acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, to probe if its founder and CEO Jensen Huang was targeted by a Chinese intelligence effort.

Kim's law firm, called Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, will assist with the inquiry, according to a statement issued by the independent directors.

The company's board earlier described US national and economic security as paramount to the company's interests and those of its shareholders. It also said it would provide further updates as appropriate.

NVIDIA also said it had no reason to believe that US national security or company secrets had been compromised but would examine all available informa...