Minister of Industry Meets with ASML CEO, Global Semiconductor Equipment Company, to Discuss Supply Chain Cooperation

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] Moon Seung-wook, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, discussed semiconductor supply chain cooperation measures with the CEO of ASML, the world's largest semiconductor equipment company.

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on the 18th, Minister Moon met with CEO Peter Wennink at the ASML Korea headquarters in Hwaseong at 10 a.m. that day.

ASML is a monopoly company in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment market essential for semiconductor fine processes. With an annual production volume of around 45 units, competition among semiconductor companies to secure equipment is fierce. For Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which manufacture advanced semiconductors, ASML is a company requiring close cooperation.

The two sides discussed ▲recent semiconductor market conditions and technology trends ▲global semiconductor supply chain issues ▲strengthening cooperation with domestic companies related to ASML's new investments.

Minister Moon especially expressed gratitude for ASML's decision to invest in the Hwaseong semiconductor cluster. ASML plans to invest 240 billion KRW by 2025 to establish an office (headquarters expansion) capable of accommodating 1,500 people, a processing center, and DUV·EUV training centers on approximately 16,000㎡ of urban support facility land in Dongtan 2 New Town. The plan is to support talent development and localization of materials, parts, and equipment. ASML chose to invest in Korea instead of Taiwan, and this is seen as significant for strengthening the domestic semiconductor supply chain, with potential for further investments in the future.

Minister Moon said, "Strengthening cooperation with ASML through this investment is expected to enhance the competitiveness of our companies manufacturing advanced semiconductors," and urged, "Please work to strengthen the supply stability of materials and parts related to advanced equipment such as EUV lithography equipment through expanded collaboration between ASML and domestic materials, parts, and equipment companies."

Peter Wennink, CEO of ASML, said, "We appreciate the active cooperation shown by the Korean government and hope to continue this relationship and contribute to the development of the Korean semiconductor industry." He also expressed gratitude for the improvement in the intermediate inspection method under the 'High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act,' which was proposed last year to enable the prompt domestic supply of EUV lithography equipment.

Immediately after the meeting, a business agreement ceremony was held for the 'ASML Hwaseong Semiconductor Cluster Development.' In addition to Minister Moon, Seo Cheol-mo, Mayor of Hwaseong, Oh Byung-kwon, Acting Governor of Gyeonggi Province and First Deputy Governor, Lee Won-wook, Member of the National Assembly, Lee Eun-joo, Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly member, Hwang Kwang-yong, Hwaseong City Council member, and Lee Chang-han, Vice Chairman of the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association, attended.

In his congratulatory speech at the agreement ceremony, Minister Moon said, "Congratulations on signing the ASML Hwaseong Semiconductor Cluster investment agreement. Through the 'K-Semiconductor Strategy' announced last May, the government plans to actively support private investment in the semiconductor sector, including this investment," and emphasized, "the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy will actively support resolving difficulties during the investment process in cooperation with Gyeonggi Province and Hwaseong City."