Yoon Seok-yeol's Semiconductor Ultra-Gap Strategy Promoted... Support for Workforce, Permits, and Investment

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol visited Seomun Market in Jung-gu, Daegu on the 12th and greeted the citizens who came to welcome him by raising his hand./Photo by Transition Team Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The Presidential Transition Committee (PTC) is reviewing support measures to secure a semiconductor super-gap, including talent development, deregulation, and investment incentives, to realize a "semiconductor superpower."

Kim Ki-heung, deputy spokesperson of the PTC, stated at a briefing held on the 12th at the PTC office in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, "The Economic Subcommittee 2 is currently reviewing 'support measures to secure a semiconductor super-gap' considering the economic importance of the semiconductor industry and supply chain security."

As a solution to the semiconductor industry's long-standing labor shortage, the PTC proposed ▲ expanding student and faculty quotas by designating specialized semiconductor universities ▲ establishing graduate schools specializing in semiconductors in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) and power to increase master's and doctoral level experts. The PTC is also reportedly discussing education programs to convert non-major students to semiconductor majors and expanding contract departments for materials, parts, and equipment (SoBuJang).

The PTC has designated the system semiconductor industry, which Korean semiconductor companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are nurturing as their next-generation business, as a key support target. There are plans to provide budget support to promote the establishment and expansion of foundry (contract manufacturing) plants. Additionally, measures to focus support on promising fabless companies to foster their growth are under discussion.

Deputy spokesperson Kim said, "Comprehensive support regarding funding, facilities, and research and development (R&D) is being reviewed."

To resolve the licensing and approval issues that have been pointed out as obstacles to semiconductor companies' plant expansions, the PTC plans to unify licensing and approval processes under government ministries when developing industrial complexes.

Kim cited the case of unifying local government licensing for hydrogen charging station installation under the Ministry of Environment, stating, "The plan is to solve the problematic local government licensing issues for semiconductor industrial complexes through unification under government ministries." Regarding the expansion of the semiconductor investment tax credit rate, which has drawn significant industry interest, discussions are ongoing separately in Economic Subcommittee 2 under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Economic Subcommittee 1 under the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and no decision has been made yet, Kim added.

The PTC also envisions strengthening supply chain cooperation systems, including strategic semiconductor cooperation with countries such as the United States. Deputy spokesperson Kim said, "The semiconductor industry is a core element of future national competitiveness and an essential item for securing industrial security amid inter-country hegemony competition. Although supply chain stabilization in response to Japan's export restrictions and the Advanced Strategic Industry Special Act have been promoted, companies still raise issues."

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