'Seokhak' Minister Lee Jong-ho Unveils System Semiconductor's 'Secret Weapon'

Introduction of 'Differentiated Specialized Talent Development Measures' at Press Conference on the 17th
New Design-Manufacturing-Analysis Course for 3rd-4th Year Undergraduates Using Public Institution Equipment
Key Initiatives, Achievements, and Reflections Over the Past Year Revealed

Lee Jong-ho, Minister of Science and ICT, the key figure in developing Korea's current semiconductor gap technology, has unveiled a 'secret weapon' to get ahead in the system semiconductor technology competition with Taiwan's TSMC and others. The government plans to establish an educational program that allows 3rd and 4th-year semiconductor-related students to gain design and manufacturing experience using public research equipment to cultivate differentiated system semiconductor specialized talent.

On the morning of the 17th, Minister Lee Jong-ho is holding a press briefing on the first anniversary of his inauguration at the Ministry of Science and ICT building in Sejong City. Photo by the Ministry of Science and ICT.

On the morning of the 17th, Minister Lee Jong-ho held a press conference marking his first anniversary in office and, when asked about policies he has pursued with conviction over the past year, revealed that he is currently formulating measures to nurture differentiated system semiconductor specialized personnel. He also expressed satisfaction with policies he emphasized after taking office, such as fostering the K-Cloud and supporting research projects focused on deep specialization. Minister Lee, a world-renowned scholar and former director of the Seoul National University Semiconductor Research Center, was the pioneer who developed the world's first 3D semiconductor integration technology, bulk FinFET technology.

Minister Lee said, "Korea's system semiconductor market share has remained at 3% from the past to the present, so as an expert, I thought we need to cultivate differentiated system semiconductor talent," adding, "Other countries run similar programs to ours, so we are running in parallel." He continued, "We will announce soon, but since last year, ETRI (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute) and two universities have formed a team to provide semiconductor manufacturing equipment so that students can engage in design, manufacturing, measurement, and analysis from their 3rd and 4th years," and said, "This program will maximize educational effects and serve as a differentiated strategy for system semiconductors, enabling companies and graduate schools to gain competitiveness."

Regarding the development of the cloud industry, Minister Lee mentioned the formation of the K-Cloud Alliance at the end of last year, saying, "I thought that creating a consortium of related institutions and companies would help advance it," and explained, "Although I cannot reveal the name yet, we are developing technology comparable to famous overseas companies and creating an opportunity for growth." He also cited the 'deep specialization' research support project, which supports research for up to 10 years and allows overlapping projects, as a policy he has pursued with conviction.

The moments he regretted most during his term were the communication network outages such as the Kakao blackout last year and the LGU+ customer personal information leak incident. Regarding the most rewarding event, he mentioned the successful second launch of the Nuri rocket in June last year. He recalled, "I was mentally very distressed during the communication network outage," and said, "Since the Nuri rocket launch was shortly after my inauguration, I was even more anxious, but when it succeeded, I was overwhelmingly joyful."

On the recent issue of returning the 28GHz 5G network construction project rights, when asked if it was a policy failure, he described it as a "very regrettable situation." However, he countered, "At the time of promotion, the government was not acting alone, and companies also agreed to proceed. We will continue to explore whether it is possible to select operators in the future and actively discover and nurture them."

Regarding President Yoon Seok-yeol's recent mention of cooperation with Japanese semiconductor material, parts, and equipment companies and its impact on existing material, parts, and equipment R&D support, he responded, "There will be no significant disruption." First Vice Minister Oh Tae-seok answered on his behalf, explaining, "Material sector R&D support projects are conducted on a five-year basis, and future materials will continue to be pursued," adding, "Policy changes are possible depending on circumstances, but existing projects will continue as is." Director Gu Hyuk-chae of the Basic and Fundamental Research Policy Bureau also stated, "During the material, parts, and equipment crisis, multiple related ministries stepped in due to the urgency, but now the issue has been resolved and improved," and added, "Materials in semiconductors and other fields are fundamentally important, so we will continue based on the future materials top 100 technology R&D project announced last month."

Minister Lee also emphasized that cooperation with other ministries has greatly improved since his appointment. He explained, "After taking office, I thought it was important to cooperate well with other departments," and said, "Looking into inter-ministerial issues, there used to be many controversies, but communication with the Ministry of Unification, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, the Ministry of Education, and others has improved significantly."

Regarding opposition party criticism of the platform companies' self-regulation policy, he said, "I think their concerns are quite reasonable," but drew a line by stating, "It is a matter to be discussed as they conduct self-regulation and thoroughly inspect the process, and if necessary, discuss further."

On the morning of the 17th, Minister Lee Jong-ho is holding a press briefing on the first anniversary of his inauguration at the Ministry of Science and ICT building in Sejong City. Photo by Ministry of Science and ICT.

He was reserved about the controversy surrounding Japan's Fukushima contaminated water discharge and Korea's inspection team dispatch. At a press conference hosted by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, the relevant agency, on the 15th, when asked about Professor Wade Allison of Oxford University in the UK claiming "it is safe to drink contaminated water," Minister Lee laughed and said, "That's the first time I've heard such a statement." He added, "Details such as the scope of inspection are being discussed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and I understand it will be finalized soon," and said, "Experts from government ministries and affiliated institutions will participate, and the specific number of personnel is being determined." Minister Lee then asked again about Professor Allison's remarks, "Did he say it is safe to drink treated contaminated water? Is he a Korean expert?" Then Vice Minister Oh stepped in and summarized, "It is a personal opinion of a scholar who has always emphasized nuclear safety. That is how we understand it." Vice Minister Oh also responded to criticism that the Ministry of Science and ICT has been "invisible" during the Fukushima contaminated water controversy by stating, "We are a promotion agency, and the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission mainly handles it."

When asked whether toxic clauses in the Semiconductor Support Act would be discussed at the Korea-US Science and Technology Joint Committee, which will be held for the first time after President Yoon's visit to the US on the 19th, he did not provide a specific answer. He said, "The science and technology alliance was added at the summit," and added, "The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is in charge of semiconductors, but (at the joint committee) Korea and the US need to closely examine how to collaborate in the semiconductor field."

He also did not directly answer the controversy over abolishing the 'Device Distribution Act' amid monopoly concerns in the mobile device market. However, Second Vice Minister Park Yoon-gyu explained, "(Since it is jointly overseen with the Korea Communications Commission) it is difficult to straightforwardly say whether to abolish or maintain it," and said, "We will continue to pursue reform of the oligopoly structure, but there is also a need to promote competition among the three companies, which is the current consensus."

Finally, Minister Lee stated that he will fulfill his role as the head of the 'ministry preparing for the nation's future.' He emphasized, "Scientific and digital development is shaking the world. Within government ministries, the role of science and technology and digital has become a common denominator connecting various ministries," and said, "By lowering barriers and cooperating well, we can become a competitive country that leads proactively and productively." He added, "As a cabinet member, I am making proposals on this. Many members of the recently established Defense Innovation Committee, including the president, are talking about a strong science and technology nation," and concluded, "As a ministry preparing for the nation's future, I will continue to prepare and develop actively with a sense of mission and calling."

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