Korean Company Eligible to Participate in US National Semiconductor Technology Center

It is expected that Korean companies will also be able to participate in the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) research and development program established by the U.S. government under the CHIPS and Science Act (CSA).

On the 25th (local time), the U.S. Department of Commerce stated in the 'NSTC Vision and Strategy' document that "international companies and research institutions are expected to participate in NSTC within the limits set by the law." However, companies owned or controlled by countries of concern such as China cannot become NSTC members.

The Department of Commerce explained that NSTC plans to facilitate the participation of U.S. companies in semiconductor research of allied and partner countries, as well as the participation of research centers from allied and partner countries and international companies in NSTC research.

The main purpose of NSTC, according to the Department of Commerce, is to reduce the cost and time involved in semiconductor technology development and secure the U.S.'s semiconductor technology superiority. Considering that it is difficult for individual companies or research institutes to research advanced semiconductors and commercialize them as actual products, NSTC aims to provide an ecosystem necessary for semiconductor research and development, including equipment, resources, and facilities.

NSTC plans to provide funding necessary for semiconductor research and development, focusing especially on research that will benefit the industry within approximately 5 to 15 years. The funding will be sourced through membership fees and investment funds jointly created with the private sector.

The Department of Commerce stated that one of NSTC's goals is "to produce design and processing technologies and intellectual property (IP) that can be provided to all participants."

Korean companies also seem not to be negative about participating in NSTC. Earlier, at the end of February, the Department of Commerce recommended that companies receiving semiconductor production subsidies provide facilities, equipment, personnel, and information necessary for NSTC research and development while guiding the application procedures for the subsidies. Although there are concerns that participation in NSTC could lead to the leakage of Korean companies' technology, on the other hand, not participating may result in being excluded from the development of next-generation semiconductor technologies.

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