Kim Ki-nam: "Advanced Technology Is the Only Survival Strategy... Losing Technological Superiority Means Becoming a Follower"

Korean Academy of Engineering IS4T Forum Held
Discussion on Securing Technology for Future Competitiveness

"The leadership in advanced technology, that is, irreplaceable technology, is the only way to survive. If we miss the golden opportunity to secure technological superiority, we may fall behind as followers."

Kim Ki-nam, Chairman of the Korean Academy of Engineering (Samsung Electronics Senior Advisor), said this on the 11th at the Westin Chosun Seoul during the '2024 IS4T (Industrial Strategy for Tomorrow) Forum.' Chairman Kim emphasized, "Irreplaceable technology is a nation's strategic asset and future growth engine," adding, "Continuous innovation efforts by companies and proactive policy support from the government are necessary."

Kim Ki-nam, Chairman of the Korean Academy of Engineering, speaking at the '2024 IS4T Forum' held at The Westin Chosun Seoul on the 11th / Photo by Korean Academy of Engineering

The background to Chairman Kim's warning lies in the weakening competitiveness of the domestic semiconductor industry. He explained, "Korean semiconductors have grown more than any other country since the mobile market blossomed and have consistently ranked first or second. However, in the first round of AI semiconductor competition that began in earnest last year, Nvidia and TSMC significantly expanded their sales, making the U.S. and Taiwan the winners."

He continued, "Nvidia was ranked 10th in semiconductor sales in 2021 but soared last year, and this year it is expected to become the first semiconductor company in history to surpass $100 billion in sales," forecasting, "The competition for AI semiconductor leadership between countries and companies will intensify further."

Chairman Kim's concerns continued throughout the forum. Professor Park Dong-geon of Sogang University (Department of Electronic Engineering), who participated as a presenter, stressed that the competition among countries in semiconductors is intensifying and that urgent innovation tasks and policy support are needed.

Professor Park said, "Recently, we have witnessed countries like Taiwan, the U.S., and Japan, with full government support, completing the process from planning to production start within a short period of two years," adding, "If we do not take the nationwide responses of neighboring countries seriously and urgently solve our problems, our current irreplaceability will be severely damaged."

He also stated, "To expand the irreplaceable global market position of memory and foundry, it is necessary to continue rapid and large-scale investments," adding, "To this end, policies supporting nationwide efforts to resolve issues difficult for companies to solve, such as delays in infrastructure (land, water, electricity) construction, must be implemented."

Another presenter, Bae Kyung-hoon, Director of LG AI Research Institute, called for strengthening competitiveness in the AI field. Director Bae pointed out, "Currently, South Korea has high interest in AI, but when looking at competitiveness by key elements, there is a risk of becoming a country dependent on the global ecosystem." To prepare for the upcoming era of artificial superintelligence, he said, "Research different from existing large language models (LLM) is necessary," and added, "It is necessary to select and promote quantum leap tasks as government-wide innovation projects to secure future technological leadership."

Participants are taking a commemorative photo at the '2024 IS4T Forum' held by the National Academy of Engineering of Korea on the 11th at The Westin Chosun Seoul. [Photo by National Academy of Engineering of Korea]

The forum was held under the theme 'K-Industry in Crisis: Dreaming of an Irreplaceable Nation through Future-Leading Innovation Tasks.' The Korean Academy of Engineering has been conducting research since launching the Industrial Future Strategy Committee in 2022 to respond to the rapidly changing global economic and technological environment.

Last year, future core industries were categorized into seven domains: Artificial Super Intelligence, Energy & Environment, Biomedical, Future Mobility, Living Infrastructure, ICT Ecosystem, and Manufacturing. This year, in-depth research is being conducted by domain.

The Korean Academy of Engineering expects that the innovation tasks proposed at this forum will contribute to the government's major industrial policies and priority decisions. Going forward, through continuous research and discussions, they plan to seek innovative measures and new breakthroughs to build an irreplaceable Korea. Based on the feedback proposed this time, they plan to supplement the research results, publish a final report in the second half of the year, and cooperate with related government ministries.