Full-scale support for semiconductor exports and investment until the end of the year

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Deok-geun visited SK Hynix’s Cheongju Campus on Monday, December 30, to inspect the export and investment environment and hold a meeting with related companies. The Cheongju Campus that we visited this time was originally SK Hynix’s NAND flash production base, but has recently been transforming into a production base for high bandwidth memory (HBM), a key semiconductor in the artificial intelligence (AI) era, through the introduction of TSV equipment. SK Hynix is ​​currently building the Cheongju M15X Fab, which is scheduled for completion in November 2025, and when the M15X Fab is completed, HBM DRAMs are also expected to be mass-produced in earnest in Cheongju.

  At today’s meeting, participants shared the semiconductor industry conditions and export outlook for next year, and exchanged opinions on the establishment of the Yongin Semiconductor Mega Cluster, support for R&D of small and medium-sized enterprises, and training of semiconductor personnel. The Korea Semiconductor Industry Association mentioned that despite the difficult circumstances, semiconductor exports this year will record an all-time high of over $140 billion, surpassing 2022 ($129.2 billion). Participants expressed their determination to do their best to expand exports next year as well, focusing on high value-added semiconductors such as HBM, although expert organizations are predicting that semiconductor exports next year will be ‘high, low, high.’ Participants also expressed special interest in and support for the ‘Trinity Fab,’ a test bed for securing leading technologies for advanced semiconductor small and medium-sized enterprises.

  The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated that the Yongin Semiconductor Mega Cluster signed a power and water supply agreement in November, and that all procedures are proceeding without a hitch, including the approval of the national industrial complex implementation plan three months ahead of schedule. The government will take responsibility for building infrastructure such as power and water, and will make all-out efforts to establish the Yongin Semiconductor Mega Cluster in a timely manner. Minister Ahn Deok-geun emphasized, “Despite domestic and international uncertainties such as the domestic political situation, the launch of the new Trump administration, and China’s fierce pursuit, the government’s support for cutting-edge industries such as semiconductors will continue without wavering.”

Editor. Hong Se-yeong