Yoon Visits Netherlands to Forge 'Semiconductor Alliance'... "Will Establish Systematic, Institutional Framework" (Comprehensive)

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

President Yoon Suk-yeol embarked 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. Along with 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.

On the morning of the same day, President Yoon departed for the Netherlands from Seongnam Seoul Airport aboard the presidential aircraft, Air Force One. President Yoon appeared at the airport wearing a dark navy suit with an orange tie, while First Lady Kim Keon-hee wore a gray jacket with a black skirt suit. People seeing off the presidential couple included Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, Lee Sang-min, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Jang Ho-jin, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kim Dae-gi, Chief of the Presidential Secretariat, Han Oh-seop, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs, and Onno Jalink, Charg? d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Korea.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This visit, arranged at the invitation of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, marks the first state visit by a South Korean president since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and the Netherlands in 1961. The Netherlands is the largest investor in South Korea among European Union (EU) member states and the second-largest trading partner after Germany. It is a key partner for South Korea in the global semiconductor supply chain. The Blue House expects that President Yoon’s state visit will lead to enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, and the semiconductor sector, 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 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 economy' in this era, and we will prioritize discussing ways to strengthen 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 establishing a semiconductor dialogue channel, signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU), and exploring joint projects during their summit and working lunch.

The highlight of the visit is the planned visit on the 12th to the headquarters of ASML, the world's only manufacturer of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment. President Yoon said, "The visit to ASML will be an important turning point in the 'Korea-Netherlands Semiconductor Alliance' relationship." At ASML, detailed plans are expected to be discussed to maximize the complementarity of the semiconductor value chain by combining the capabilities of semiconductor manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. President Yoon will inspect the production site of the latest lithography equipment to be released 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 represents a significant opportunity for South Korea to expand its 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. The cleanroom is a special room designed to minimize dust and particles in the indoor air and to 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 Blue House 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 become a semiconductor superpower." Since South Korean material, parts, and equipment (SoBuJang) companies will also participate, it is expected that the two countries will strengthen mutually complementary supply chain cooperation in advanced semiconductor fields and seek joint development in talent cultivation and other areas.

Economic cooperation will also expand based on semiconductors. 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 are expected to 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 ways to promote cooperation between defense companies are also expected to be addressed. Emerging security areas such as the military use of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity cooperation between the two countries will be discussed. Additionally, President Yoon will visit 'Rijderzaal' (Hall of Heroes), where the International Peace Conference was held 116 years ago, to visit the memorial hall of martyr Lee Jun. This will be a time to reflect on the spirit of the patriots who devoted themselves to restoring national sovereignty and independence movements and to express the will to protect freedom, democracy, and world peace based on strong national defense and global leadership, according to the Blue House.

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]