Samsung Electronics Leading the 'K-Chip Era'

Fruits of Support for Semiconductor Equipment Parts Development by Partners
Establishing the 'Korea Semiconductor Ecosystem' through Industry-Academia Cooperation

A solar power generation facility with a total of 3,600 panels and a capacity of 1,500KW installed at the parking tower of Samsung Electronics Giheung Campus

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Samsung Electronics is launching comprehensive support across all sectors of the domestic semiconductor industry to open the era of the 'K-Chip.' The company is strengthening its role as a vanguard in building the 'Korea Semiconductor Ecosystem' by supporting the development of semiconductor equipment parts for small and medium-sized partners and increasing investments in future generations through industry-academia cooperation.

Samsung Electronics announced on the 25th that its decade-long efforts to nurture semiconductor partners have recently borne fruit through in-house technology development. For example, the partner company 'EOTechNix' jointly developed high-performance laser equipment with Samsung Electronics, which had previously relied on imports, resolving defect issues in the DRAM miniaturization process. Additionally, 'Synopsys' significantly contributed to improving the efficiency of semiconductor etching processes by developing ceramic powder and internalizing recoating technology.

The industry evaluates the results of Samsung Electronics' semiconductor partner nurturing efforts as a reflection of Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong's commitment to 'coexistence.' At the system semiconductor vision declaration ceremony in April last year, Vice Chairman Lee emphasized 'win-win cooperation,' stating, "Sharing and growing together is, in my personal belief, the power that keeps the challenge toward becoming the world's best alive."

Recently, to strengthen the domestic semiconductor ecosystem, Samsung Electronics, together with the government and the semiconductor industry, has prepared a 100 billion KRW scale 'System Semiconductor Win-Win Fund' support program and instructed comprehensive cooperation measures such as practicing coexistence with universities and local communities. This also expresses the company's will to fulfill its social responsibility through partner companies, industry-academia collaboration, and eco-friendly management.

This semiconductor ecosystem establishment plan is also linked to the development of the domestic materials, parts, and equipment industry following Japan's export restrictions imposed last year. It is known that Vice Chairman Lee personally oversaw localization measures for the supply of materials, parts, and equipment necessary for semiconductor production during the heightened conflict between the two countries in this sector. In fact, when Japan implemented export restrictions last year, he personally went on a business trip to secure key materials.

Vice Chairman Lee's efforts to prepare for uncertainties in the global semiconductor market, such as the intensifying US-China trade dispute and Japan's export restrictions, are also evident in his on-site management activities. In January, he inspected the 3nm development site at the Hwaseong Semiconductor Research Institute, visited the EUV production line, and held relay meetings with the Device Solutions (DS) division executives, visiting the site five times in the first half of this year alone.

At a recent meeting with DS division executives at the 'Samsung Electronics Semiconductor Research Institute' in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, Vice Chairman Lee said, "There is no time. This is a harsh crisis," and added, "Survival depends on how quickly we can make future technologies our own." His decision to push forward with the establishment of the Pyeongtaek EUV foundry line and investment in the NAND production line is interpreted as a strong will not to miss growth opportunities in the rapidly changing global semiconductor market.

An industry official said, "In the severe situation where the US-China trade dispute is intensifying and diplomatic conflicts between Korea and Japan continue, the role of the head of the company who takes responsibility and leads the business is absolutely necessary for Samsung to maintain its position as a game changer in the global semiconductor market."