Yoon Visits Netherlands for 'Semiconductor Alliance'... "Will Establish Systematic, Institutional Framework"

State Visit to the Netherlands from 11th to 14th... Aiming for 'Korea-Netherlands Semiconductor Alliance'
Lee Jae-yong and Choi Tae-won Accompany... Visit to Semiconductor Lithography Equipment Company ASML Headquarters
Promoting Deepening of Strategic Partnership... Expanding Cooperation in Defense, Logistics, Agriculture, and Science and Technology

President Yoon Suk-yeol will embark on his final overseas trip of the year on the 11th. His goal is to visit the Netherlands, South Korea's second-largest trading partner in Europe, to establish the 'Korea-Netherlands Semiconductor Alliance.' Based on this, he plans to deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries. Accompanied by an economic delegation including Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, he will visit ASML, the world's leading semiconductor lithography equipment company, to discuss cooperation plans.

Arranged at the invitation of King Willem-Alexander, this trip marks the first state visit by a Korean president to the Netherlands since diplomatic relations were established in 1961. The Netherlands is the EU member state with the highest investment in Korea and the second-largest trading partner after Germany, serving as a key partner in the global semiconductor supply chain. The Presidential Office expects that President Yoon's state visit to the Netherlands will lead to enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, and semiconductors, as well as the establishment of a stable semiconductor supply chain.

The core of this state visit to the Netherlands is the 'establishment of the Korea-Netherlands Semiconductor Alliance and the deepening of the strategic partnership.' In a written interview with AFP released the day before, President Yoon stated, "This state visit will be an important turning point for the 'Korea-Netherlands Semiconductor Alliance,'" and predicted that "a more systematic institutional framework will be established to focus on global semiconductor supply chain issues."

President Yoon emphasized that "discussions on semiconductor cooperation are the top priority." He added, "Korea and the Netherlands share the consensus that 'the economy is security and security is the economy' in this era, and we will prioritize discussions on strengthening the economic security partnership between the two countries." This means that the two countries will promote the deepening of their strategic partnership based on the 'semiconductor alliance.' Locally, President Yoon and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will discuss the establishment of a semiconductor dialogue channel, signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU), and exploring joint projects during their summit and working lunch.

President Yoon also stressed the need to strengthen semiconductor capabilities in the global industry. He analyzed, "As semiconductors emerge as strategic assets in terms of industry, technology, and security, geopolitical risks surrounding the global supply chain are expanding," and "the global environment surrounding the semiconductor industry is rapidly changing due to technological hegemony competition and supply chain restructuring." He evaluated, "Semiconductors are the central axis of the Korea-Netherlands cooperative relationship," and "the stable and sustainable growth of the global semiconductor industry is directly linked to the core interests of both countries."

The highlight of the trip is the visit on the 12th to the headquarters of ASML, the world's only extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment manufacturer. President Yoon said, "The visit to ASML will be an important turning point in the 'Korea-Netherlands Semiconductor Alliance' relationship." At this site, detailed plans to maximize the complementarity of the semiconductor value chain by combining the capabilities of semiconductor manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are expected to be discussed. President Yoon will tour 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. Since ASML monopolizes the global market for lithography equipment essential for ultra-fine semiconductor processes, this presents 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, Chairman Lee Jae-yong, and Chairman Chey Tae-won will also attend. A cleanroom is a specialized room designed to minimize dust and particles in the indoor 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. The Presidential Office expects that "by visiting the Dutch innovation site, the president will gain hints and insights related to the semiconductor cluster being developed in Hwaseong as part of the government's strategy to achieve semiconductor superpower status." Since this involves not only Samsung and SK Hynix but also Korean materials, parts, and equipment (SoBuJang) companies, it is expected that the two countries will strengthen mutually complementary supply chain cooperation in advanced semiconductor fields and seek joint development such as talent cultivation.

Economic cooperation based on semiconductors will also be expanded. President Yoon plans to extend cooperation not only in security but also in trade to all-encompassing economic sectors such as defense, logistics, agriculture, science and technology, and education. The two leaders will establish and regularize a bilateral 'economic and security dialogue' for supply chain cooperation and discuss increasing the annual quota for the Korea-Netherlands working holiday program.

Close cooperation systems may also be established regarding North Korea's nuclear issue, support for Ukraine, and Middle East matters. High-level exchanges in defense and defense industry sectors and measures to promote cooperation between defense companies are also expected to be addressed. Cooperation plans in emerging security fields such as the military use of artificial intelligence and cyber security will be discussed.

Additionally, President Yoon will visit 'Ridderzaal' (Hall of Knights), where the International Peace Conference was held 116 years ago, to visit the Lee Jun martyr memorial hall. The Presidential Office explained that this will be a time to reflect on the spirit of the patriots who devoted themselves to national restoration and independence movements and to express the will to protect freedom, democracy, and world peace based on strong national defense and global leadership.

Last July, President Yoon Seok-yeol and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who attended the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit, held a luncheon meeting at a restaurant in downtown Vilnius.
[Photo by Yonhap News]