First State Visit to the Netherlands Since Diplomatic Relations Established... Establishment of 'Semiconductor Dialogue'
Deepening Cooperation in Trade and Investment... Contributing to Semiconductor Supply Chain Development
Planned Visit to ASML Headquarters... Attendance at Special Session of Business Forum
President Yoon Suk-yeol will make a state visit to the Netherlands from December 11 to 14 to establish the 'Korea-Netherlands Semiconductor Alliance.' Based on this, he plans to deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries and will visit ASML, the world's No. 1 semiconductor lithography equipment company, along with an economic delegation including Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, to discuss cooperation plans.
On the 7th, the Presidential Office announced that President Yoon and his wife Kim Keon-hee will make a state visit to the Netherlands from December 11 to 14 at the invitation of King Willem-Alexander. This visit marks the first state visit by a Korean president to the Netherlands since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1961. In the past, President Kim Dae-jung visited Amsterdam in September 2002 en route to the Copenhagen ASEM Summit, and President Park Geun-hye visited The Hague in 2014 to attend the Nuclear Security Summit.
The Netherlands is a traditional ally that sent more than 5,000 troops during the Korean War before diplomatic relations were established. It is the largest investor in Korea among European Union (EU) member states and the second-largest trading partner after Germany, serving as a key partner in Korea's global semiconductor supply chain. The Presidential Office expects that President Yoon's state visit to the Netherlands will lead to cooperation in trade, investment, and semiconductors, as well as the establishment of a stable semiconductor supply chain.
The Core: 'Establishing a Semiconductor Alliance and Deepening Strategic Partnership'
Kim Tae-hyo, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, and Park Chun-seop, Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs, identified the establishment of the Korea-Netherlands semiconductor alliance and the deepening of the strategic partnership as the key agenda of President Yoon's state visit to the Netherlands. President Yoon and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will discuss the establishment of a semiconductor dialogue, signing of memorandums of understanding (MOUs), and joint project exploration during their summit and working lunch.
Deputy Director Kim stated, "We will focus on discussing ways to build a ‘semiconductor alliance’ encompassing government, industry, and academia," adding, "It is expected to contribute to enhancing the supply chain stability and resilience of our semiconductor companies amid geopolitical conflicts and economic security crises."
Furthermore, the plan is to maximize the complementarity of the semiconductor value chain by combining the capabilities of ASML, the world's only extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment manufacturer, with semiconductor manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. In particular, President Yoon will inspect the production site of the latest lithography equipment to be launched next year with ASML CEO Peter Wennink and discuss cooperation plans in professional workforce training and next-generation technology research and development with ASML and other major semiconductor companies. ASML holds the world's No. 1 market share in lithography equipment and monopolizes the global supply of lithography equipment essential for ultra-fine semiconductor processes, presenting a significant opportunity to expand Korea's semiconductor supply chain.
President Yoon will be the first foreign head of state to visit ASML's cleanroom. King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Chairman Lee Jae-yong, and Chairman Chey Tae-won will also attend. A cleanroom is a specialized room designed to minimize dust and particulate matter in the air and control indoor pressure, humidity, temperature, and airflow distribution and speed within certain ranges. IT-related products such as semiconductors and displays are all manufactured in cleanrooms. Deputy Director Kim expressed, "By visiting the Dutch innovation site, the President will provide hints and insights for Korea's strategy to become a semiconductor superpower, including the semiconductor cluster being developed in Hwaseong."
Senior Secretary Park explained, "The Netherlands has formed an industry-academia cluster centered on ASML, which monopolizes lithography equipment for 7nm and below. Since our materials, parts, and equipment (SoBuJang) companies will participate alongside Samsung and SK Hynix, the two countries will strengthen mutually complementary supply chain cooperation in advanced semiconductors and seek joint development such as talent cultivation."
Expanding Trade in Defense, Logistics, Agriculture... "In-depth Discussion on Cooperation in Emerging Security Fields"
Following joint meetings with the chairs of the Dutch House of Representatives and Senate, President Yoon is expected to reach a consensus on deepening the 'strategic partnership' between the two countries during a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Mark Rutte. The plan is to expand cooperation not only in security but also comprehensively in trade sectors such as defense, logistics, agriculture, science and technology, and education.
The two leaders will discuss establishing and regularizing an 'economic and security dialogue' between the two countries for supply chain cooperation and increasing the annual quota for the Korea-Netherlands working holiday program. Deputy Director Kim said, "The upcoming Korea-Netherlands strategic partnership will strengthen security cooperation based on shared values and economic-security cooperation based on advanced technology," adding, "We will closely coordinate on North Korea's nuclear issue, support for Ukraine, and Middle East matters."
High-level exchanges in defense and defense industry cooperation promotion measures are also expected to be addressed. Deputy Director Kim added, "We will discuss ways to strengthen strategic communication channels in diplomacy and security between the two countries," and "We will also have in-depth consultations on cooperation in emerging security fields such as the military use of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity."
Additionally, President Yoon will visit 'Ridderzaal' (Hall of Knights), where the International Peace Conference was held 116 years ago, to visit the memorial hall of martyr Lee Jun. Deputy Director Kim said, "Despite difficult circumstances, we will reflect on the spirit of our patriotic ancestors who devoted themselves to national sovereignty restoration and independence movements, and express our will to protect freedom, democracy, and world peace based on strong national defense and global leadership."
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