President Yoon's Second Day of State Visit... Official Welcome Ceremony, Luncheon Held
Visits ASML with Chairmen Lee Jae-yong and Choi Tae-won... Exploring Bilateral Joint Development
President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is on a state visit to the Netherlands, will visit the heads of domestic semiconductor companies and ASML, the world's only advanced semiconductor equipment manufacturer, on the second day of his trip, the 12th (local time). President Yoon has previously announced that "the visit to ASML will be an important turning point in the 'Korea-Netherlands semiconductor alliance' relationship."
The official state schedule begins on this day. Starting with the official welcome ceremony by King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands, who invited President Yoon, the itinerary continues with a wreath-laying at the war memorial, lunch, and dinner.
The highlight of this visit, the ASML headquarters tour, is also scheduled. During the visit to ASML, the world's only manufacturer of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment, 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 key semiconductor companies including ASML. Since ASML monopolizes the global market supply of lithography equipment essential for ultra-fine semiconductor processes, this presents a significant opportunity for Korea to greatly expand its semiconductor supply chain.
President Yoon will be the first foreign head of state to visit ASML's cleanroom. King Willem Alexander, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won will also attend. The cleanroom is a special room designed to minimize dust and fine particles in the indoor air and to control indoor pressure, humidity, temperature, airflow distribution, and speed within a certain range. IT-related products such as semiconductors and displays are all manufactured in cleanrooms.
The Korean government and companies show great interest in ASML because of its unique business. ASML is the only company in the world that produces EUV lithography equipment essential for ultra-fine processes below 7 nanometers (nm; 1 nm is one billionth of a meter). The next-generation EUV equipment called "High Numerical Aperture (NA)" for processes below 2 nm is also expected to be introduced soon.
With limited equipment supply and semiconductor companies lining up to acquire the latest lithography equipment, securing equipment has become a competitive advantage in ultra-fine processes. ASML announced at its event last year that it plans to secure production capacity for 90 EUV machines by 2026 and 20 High NA machines by 2028. The semiconductor industry expects Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, TSMC, and Intel in the U.S. to receive supplies of High NA following EUV. It is reported that many companies have already signed supply contracts.
The Presidential Office stated, "By visiting the innovation site in the Netherlands, the President is expected to provide hints and insights related to the semiconductor cluster being developed in Hwaseong as part of our government's strategy to become a semiconductor superpower." Since not only Samsung and SK Hynix but also our materials, parts, and equipment (SoBuJang) companies are involved, it is said that the two countries will strengthen mutually complementary supply chain cooperation in the advanced semiconductor field and seek joint development such as talent cultivation.
Afterward, President Yoon will return to Amsterdam and conclude the day's schedule with a state dinner.
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