South Korea says it would develop a massive computer chip manufacturing complex in the greater Seoul area, with a $230 billion investment from memory chip giant Samsung Electronics.
President Yoon Suk Yeol announced the plans on Wednesday, and the electronics behemoth confirmed them.
Where Will Chip Cluster Be Located?
According to a government statement, the chip cluster would be built in Gyeonggi province, which is part of the Seoul Metropolitan region, and the overall investment would take around 20 years to complete.
According to the statement, which did not provide further specifics, the country will update its Industrial Technology Protection Act to defend intellectual property.
Semiconductors have become a highly political technology, resulting in a complex dynamic between allied countries, owing to the United States two-pronged strategy.
On the one hand, Washington has campaigned to bring chip manufacturing back to the United States and has received commitments to build factories from businesses such as Samsung and Taiwan’s TSMC, the largest contract chipmaker.
On the other hand, the United States has attempted to stifle China’s semiconductor development. Last year, the United States imposed stringent restrictions on China’s ability to obtain or manufacture critical chips and components, as well as the tools required to make them.
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Samsung Manufacturing Initiative
The government’s assistance might help Samsung catch up to TSMC, the largest contract chipmaker. TSMC manufactures some of the world’s most innovative semiconductors for firms such as Apple.
Samsung, which is well-known for its consumer electronics and memory chips, is trying to expand its contract chipmaking, or foundry, business.
In October, the business unveiled an ambitious plan to produce the most advanced chips in the world by 2027.
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