Samsung Electronics Advances Aggressively to Become Global No.1 in Semiconductors

Samsung Electronics Cleanroom Semiconductor Production Site

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Samsung Electronics is taking an aggressive approach to maintain its global No. 1 position in semiconductors.

According to the business community on the 20th, Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong visited the semiconductor research center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province the day before and held a meeting with the presidents, emphasizing, "This is a harsh crisis situation. Our survival depends on how quickly we can make future technologies our own."

This appears to take into account that TSMC, the global No. 1 foundry company, has already started mass production of 5-nanometer semiconductors and announced the development of 3-nanometer technology, leading in fine process technology.

Samsung Electronics is set to begin mass production of 5-nanometer semiconductors in the second half of this year and is currently researching mass production technology for the 3-nanometer process. Additionally, the US-China hegemony war shifting to semiconductor technology competition is also expanding future uncertainties.

Earlier on the 15th, Vice Chairman Lee also held consecutive meetings with the presidents of the semiconductor and wireless business divisions to review business strategies.

At this meeting, Vice Chairman Lee met with the DS Division executives in the morning, including Kim Ki-nam, Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics DS Division, Jin Gyo-young, President of the Memory Business Division, Jung Eun-seung, President of the Foundry Business Division, Kang In-yeop, President of the System LSI Business Division, and Park Hak-gyu, President of the DS Division Management Support Office, to discuss the global semiconductor market situation and investment strategies.

He then held a meeting in the foundry sector to review the impact of the global trade dispute on the foundry market and the development roadmap for ultra-fine processes such as 5-nanometer technology.

Samsung Electronics announced last month the expansion of an ultra-fine extreme ultraviolet (EUV) foundry production line at the Pyeongtaek plant to achieve its 'Semiconductor Vision 2030' goal of becoming the world's No. 1 in system semiconductors by 2030. Samsung Electronics explained that it is systematically building a mid- to long-term roadmap to become a true top-tier company.