Promotion of Next-Generation Intelligent Semiconductor Technology Development Project... "Leap to a Comprehensive Semiconductor Powerhouse"

Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Science to Promote R&D Projects for Securing Core Semiconductor Technologies
Investing 1 Trillion Won over 10 Years Across All Stages of Technology Development... "Aiming to Become No.1 in AI Semiconductors"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] A joint national research and development project involving multiple ministries to secure core technologies that will determine the future semiconductor market, such as artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors and advanced semiconductors for key industries, will be actively promoted this year.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Science and ICT have completed task planning for the next-generation intelligent semiconductor technology development project this year and will announce the project starting from the 20th.

This project, which will receive 89.1 billion KRW in government funding this year and a total investment of 1 trillion KRW over the next 10 years, covers the entire technology development cycle including devices, design, equipment, and processes.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy will invest 46.7 billion KRW this year to develop next-generation semiconductor design technology and equipment/process technology, while the Ministry of Science and ICT will support AI semiconductor design technology and new device technology development with 42.4 billion KRW.

The project announcement will be open for 40 days until the 28th of next month. After selecting executing institutions through evaluation, full-scale technology development is scheduled to begin in April.

Detailed information such as task-specific technical proposals and announcements can be found on the websites of the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology and the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation, respectively. Project briefing sessions will be held by sector on the 29th (Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy) and the 31st (Ministry of Science and ICT).

Seong Yun-mo, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, emphasized, "System semiconductors are one of the three new industries that will secure our future food sources along with future cars and bio industries, serving as core components for realizing the 4th Industrial Revolution."

He added, "We will leverage our strengths such as technological capabilities in the memory semiconductor sector and possession of large demand companies, and focus on supporting the securing of core technologies in next-generation semiconductors along with fostering design-specialized companies (fabless) and human resource development, to leap beyond a memory powerhouse to a comprehensive semiconductor powerhouse."

Choi Ki-young, Minister of Science and ICT, explained, "AI semiconductors are the core and battleground of global leadership competition in the AI era. Since it is still an early-stage industry without an overwhelming leader, securing core technologies ahead of others presents an opportunity to lead the global market."

He stated, "By combining the government's leading investment and private sector capabilities, we will develop world-class AI semiconductors, promote the influx of talented personnel, and stimulate private investment, creating a new boom in the semiconductor industry and supporting South Korea to become the number one AI semiconductor country."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.