Yoon: "Establishing Semiconductor Supply Chain Framework with Netherlands... A Crucial Turning Point in Alliance" (Comprehensive)

AFP Written Interview... "Significantly Strengthening Cooperation with Netherlands, USA, Japan, etc."
Yoon "Semiconductor Talks with Netherlands Are Top Priority... Cooperation in Economic Security"
Regarding ASML Visit, "It Will Be an Important Turning Point," Suggesting Value Chain Complementation

President Yoon Suk-yeol announced ahead of his state visit to the Netherlands from the 11th to the 15th that "a more systematic institutional framework will be established to focus intensively on global semiconductor supply chain issues." Emphasizing the semiconductor industry as the core of Korea-Netherlands cooperation, President Yoon forecasted, "Korea plans to significantly strengthen semiconductor cooperation with key countries such as the Netherlands, the United States, and Japan."

In a written interview with AFP released on the 10th, President Yoon stated, "This state visit will be an important turning point for the 'Korea-Netherlands Semiconductor Alliance.'"

In particular, President Yoon mentioned that "discussions on semiconductor cooperation are the top priority." He added, "Under the consensus that 'the economy is security and security is the economy,' the Netherlands and Korea will prioritize discussions on strengthening the economic security partnership between the two countries." Through this visit, President Yoon plans to establish a 'semiconductor alliance' with the Netherlands, aiming to deepen the strategic partnership between the two nations based on this foundation. To this end, President Yoon and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will discuss the establishment of a semiconductor dialogue channel, signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU), and exploring joint projects during their summit and working lunch.

President Yoon also emphasized the need to strengthen semiconductor capabilities in the global industry. He analyzed, "As semiconductors emerge as strategic assets in industry, technology, and security, geopolitical risks surrounding the global supply chain are expanding," and "the global environment surrounding the semiconductor industry is rapidly changing due to technological hegemony competition and supply chain restructuring." He evaluated, "Semiconductors are the central axis of Korea-Netherlands cooperation," and "the stable and sustainable growth of the global semiconductor industry is directly linked to the core interests of both countries."

Great significance was also attributed to the planned visit to ASML, the world's only extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment manufacturer, during this tour. President Yoon said, "The visit to ASML will be an important turning point in the 'Korea-Netherlands Semiconductor Alliance' relationship." He envisions combining the capabilities of ASML with semiconductor manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to maximize the complementarity of the semiconductor value chain. He will inspect the production site of the latest lithography equipment to be launched next year with ASML CEO Peter Wennink and discuss cooperation plans in professional workforce training and next-generation technology research and development with ASML and other major semiconductor companies. ASML holds the number one market share in lithography equipment worldwide and monopolizes the global supply of lithography equipment essential for ultra-fine semiconductor processes, presenting a significant opportunity for Korea to greatly expand its semiconductor supply chain.

President Yoon will be the first foreign head of state to visit ASML’s cleanroom. King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won will also attend. A cleanroom is a specialized room designed to maintain minimal dust and particulate matter in the indoor air and to control indoor pressure, humidity, temperature, airflow distribution, and velocity within certain ranges. IT-related products such as semiconductors and displays are all manufactured in cleanrooms. Kim Tae-hyo, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, expressed expectations, saying, "By visiting the Dutch innovation site, the President will provide us with hints and insights related to the semiconductor cluster being established in Hwaseong as part of our government's strategy to achieve semiconductor superpower status."