EU Executive Visiting Samsung Pyeongtaek Semiconductor Plant... What Was Discussed?

Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner, Shares Photo on SNS
Meets Samsung President Choi Si-young and SK Hynix President Lee Seok-hee

On the 30th of last month, Choi Si-young, President of Samsung Electronics Foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturing) Division (left), and Thierry Breton, European Union (EU) Commissioner, were taking a commemorative photo in front of Samsung Electronics' Pyeongtaek semiconductor factory. Photo by Breton Commissioner SNS

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Thierry Breton, European Union (EU) Commissioner who has been sending 'love calls' to Korean semiconductor companies, actively engaged in investment attraction activities, including visiting Samsung Electronics' Pyeongtaek semiconductor plant during his visit to Korea.

According to the industry on the 5th, Commissioner Breton posted photos on his social media (SNS) showing meetings with Choi Si-young, President of Samsung Electronics Foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturing) Division, and Lee Seok-hee, President of SK Hynix, on the 30th of last month and the 1st of this month during his visit to Korea. Commissioner Breton visited Asia to attract investment for expanding semiconductor production facilities, arriving in Korea on the 29th after Japan, completing a two-day visit, and returning on the 1st.

On the first day of his visit, the 30th of last month, Commissioner Breton posted on SNS that he visited Samsung Electronics' Pyeongtaek plant, the world's largest 5-nanometer (nm; 1 nm = one billionth of a meter) semiconductor factory, describing it as "impressive." The photos he shared showed him conversing with President Choi at the Samsung Electronics Pyeongtaek plant, both wearing masks and white work uniforms labeled "VIP." Another photo showed them standing side by side in front of the factory, dressed in suits, smiling for a commemorative photo.

On the 30th of last month, Choi Si-young, President of Samsung Electronics Foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturing) Division (second from the left), Thierry Breton, European Union (EU) Commissioner (fourth from the left), and other officials were taking a commemorative photo at the Samsung Electronics Pyeongtaek semiconductor plant. (Photo by Breton SNS)

On the 30th of last month, Choi Si-young, President of Samsung Electronics Foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturing) Division, and Thierry Breton, European Union (EU) Commissioner, were having a conversation during a visit to Samsung Electronics' Pyeongtaek semiconductor plant.
Photo by Breton Commissioner SNS

Commissioner Breton wrote, "Along with the upcoming EU Chips Act, we will secure our supply chain through partnerships with reliable players worldwide."

On the second day of his visit, the 1st, Commissioner Breton also posted a photo meeting with President Lee Seok-hee. With the Korean flag and EU flag in the background and separated by a glass panel likely due to COVID-19 precautions, the two were seen smiling and conversing. Commissioner Breton stated, "I am meeting with major Asian semiconductor manufacturers," and added, "I had a good conversation with President Lee."

On the 1st, Lee Seok-hee, President of SK Hynix (far left), and Thierry Breton, European Union (EU) Commissioner, are having a conversation. Photo by Breton Commissioner SNS

It is reported that through meetings with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, Commissioner Breton proposed expanding investments such as establishing factories in Europe and forming technological cooperation. Globally, the only foundry companies capable of advanced processes are Taiwan's TSMC and Samsung Electronics, while in the memory semiconductor market, domestic companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix hold overwhelming market shares. Considering this, it is highly likely that the EU, seeking to expand semiconductor production facilities, suggested providing incentives to domestic companies through the EU Chips Act.

During his visit, Commissioner Breton also decided to strengthen cooperation with the government. He shared photos of meetings with Moon Seung-wook, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy; Yeo Han-gu, Director-General for Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; and Lim Hye-sook, Minister of Science and ICT, stating, "We had constructive discussions in Seoul and agreed to strengthen cooperation in semiconductor supply chains and research."