ASML Invests in Expanding Workforce in Korea

ASML Korea Branch Expanding Workforce Including New and Experienced Employees
One-Third of ASML's Last Year's Revenue Came from Korea... Busy Responding to Demand

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Pyeonghwa] ASML, the Dutch company that exclusively supplies extreme ultraviolet (EUV) equipment essential for advanced semiconductor processes, is actively expanding its business in Korea. Along with the courting efforts of semiconductor companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, the government is also rolling up its sleeves to ensure stable equipment supply, leading to workforce expansion and investment to meet domestic demand.

According to the semiconductor industry on the 16th, ASML Korea, which is conducting new graduate recruitment in the second half of the year, is accepting applications to hire engineers in areas such as customer and technical support. Following the event on the 15th of this month, a metaverse recruitment briefing session will be held on the 19th. A virtual reality (VR) recruitment information center is also operated on the homepage. Additionally, applications for experienced positions in various fields are being accepted simultaneously.

The active recruitment of talent at ASML’s Korean branch is driven by business expansion to meet demand. Last year, Korea accounted for 34.46% (6.223 billion euros) of ASML’s total sales (18.6 billion euros). With a 50% increase in Korean sales compared to the previous year, Korea alone accounted for one-third of the total. ASML sold 42 EUV machines last year, revealing that Samsung Electronics was a major customer domestically alongside Taiwan’s TSMC, the world’s top foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturing) company.

The EUV equipment exclusively supplied by ASML is used in the process of engraving circuit patterns on semiconductor wafers. Since semiconductor performance depends on how finely the circuits are drawn, EUV equipment is essential for ultra-fine processes. Moreover, the production of EUV equipment costs over 200 billion won and weighs up to 180 tons, resulting in a considerable lead time from order to delivery, making rapid supply impossible. Due to supply chain issues, parts procurement for equipment production has also been delayed, making stable supply a top priority for customers.

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are expanding their engagement with ASML under these circumstances. Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong visited the Netherlands during his European business trip in June and visited ASML headquarters. He met with ASML CEO Peter Wennink to request stable supply of EUV equipment. SK Hynix also included ASML as a possible work location in its Global Experience Program (GXP), which allows employees to work at overseas sites for five weeks, launched this month. Last year, SK Hynix signed a contract worth 4.755 trillion won with ASML to receive EUV equipment until 2025.

The Korean government is also focusing on expanding domestic connections with ASML. On the 6th, Jung Dae-jin, Deputy Minister for Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, met with Joana Donabart, the Dutch Ambassador to Korea, to discuss ASML’s investment status in Dongtan and requested expansion of domestic investment. Earlier, ASML announced plans to invest 240 billion won by 2025 to establish an advanced semiconductor cluster in Hwaseong Dongtan. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy also improved supply times by allowing alternative inspections when ASML faced difficulties undergoing intermediate inspections under the High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act when supplying EUV equipment domestically.

This year, ASML will begin full-scale construction of semiconductor cluster facilities on a 16,000㎡ urban support facility site in Dongtan 2 City, Hwaseong. The cluster will include remanufacturing and deep ultraviolet (DUV) and EUV equipment training centers. These facilities will serve for equipment maintenance, parts localization, and training domestic EUV-related talent. At the headquarters level, ASML aims to expand EUV equipment supply. The company plans to produce 55 units this year and more than 60 units next year, increasing the quantity of cutting-edge equipment.

A semiconductor industry official said, "Although existing DUV equipment can be introduced for fine processes, EUV equipment performance is clearly superior in terms of time, cost, and yield," adding, "Since securing EUV equipment is essential for leading-edge process companies, expanding supply can be helpful."