What you said above reminds me of this quote from Korea Joongang Daily :
"But the delay could cost Korea its partner altogether. Indonesia is reportedly close to reaching an agreement to purchase 48 Rafale jets as part of a comprehensive defense cooperation deal with France.
The offers put out by France, which one Korean defense industry source said included
a much larger transfer of fighter jet technologies, has enticed Indonesia, and according to French publication La Tribune, the two countries are close to a deal."
So it looks like France does seem willing to give more in terms of ToT than what Koreans can afford to offer.
If this is indeed the case, then maybe we plan to pick something from the Rafale deal that is not given access to in KFX deal. It's like we're using Dr. Frankenstein method in making a fighter
Korea’s ambitious indigenous fighter jet project may end up costing taxpayers much more than they bargained for, as its partner Indonesia toys with pulling out from the program altogether.
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com