Lee Seok-hee, President of SK Hynix, on US Semiconductor Information Request: "Under Internal Review"

Lee Seok-hee, President of SK Hynix

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Lee Seok-hee, CEO of SK Hynix, stated regarding the U.S. government's semiconductor information submission request, "We are reviewing it internally and actively communicating with the government."

On the 28th, before the booth tour at 'Semiconductor Exhibition 2021' held at COEX in Seoul, Lee told reporters this. This means that they are reviewing countermeasures against the U.S. government's demand for major global semiconductor companies to submit information related to manufacturing, inventory, orders, sales, and customers by the 8th of next month.

The U.S. government has officially stated that companies submit information voluntarily, but in fact, it has warned that if companies do not provide information considered trade secrets, the Defense Production Act may be applied, raising concerns in the industry. TSMC, the world's leading foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturing) company, said it would submit data within the possible scope, and Samsung Electronics also recently expressed through Vice Chairman Kim Ki-nam that "we are calmly responding while considering various factors."

Regarding next year's facility investment plan, Lee said, "As announced in the Q3 earnings conference call on the 26th, we will maintain it at about 30% of sales," and concerning recent rumors about SK Hynix's acquisition of Key Foundry, he stated, "Nothing has been confirmed."