Semes Designated as a Voluntary Compliance Trade Operator for Strategic Materials

Official Certification System by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
Items and Technologies That Can Be Used for Conventional Weapons
Strict Export Controls on Semiconductors and Displays
Semes Receives AA Rating... Benefits Such as Simplified Review Process

Semes, a semiconductor equipment company, announced on the 24th that it has been designated as an 'Authorized Economic Operator for Strategic Goods Export Control' by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, along with an AA rating.

Photo of the main building of Semes Cheonan Plant. Photo by Semes

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy officially certifies domestic companies that have established sufficient internal autonomous management systems for strategic goods. Until now, this certification has mainly been granted to large corporations. When designated as an Authorized Economic Operator for strategic goods, a company can independently determine whether items qualify as strategic goods and whether the end user is a concerning party, allowing the company to export items accordingly.

Strategic goods refer to items or technologies that can be used for conventional weapons or weapons of mass destruction. Exports of these goods are strictly controlled to prevent them from being shipped to countries of concern or terrorist organizations. Many industrial items, such as semiconductors and displays, fall under this category.

Having also received an AA rating, Semes will receive administrative benefits from the government, such as shortened export permit review periods and simplified documentation. Export permit reviews are exempted in 29 advanced countries including the United States, and for other countries, the review period is reduced from 15 days to 10 days.