'19 National Semiconductor Research Labs Designated... 49 Billion Won Supported Over 5 Years'

Ministry of Science and ICT to Hold Kickoff Ceremony on 29th
First Meeting of Semiconductor Public-Private Council Also Held
Discussion on Workforce Development Plans

The government has officially launched the 'National Semiconductor Laboratory' support project to cultivate excellent semiconductor talent at the master's and doctoral levels.

Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT is attending the Emergency Economic Measures Meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 6th, delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the morning of the 29th, Lee Jong-ho, Minister of Science and ICT, announced this at the 'National Semiconductor Laboratory Launch Ceremony' held at Korea University in Seoul. On the same day, Minister Lee also chaired the 'Semiconductor Future Technology Public-Private Council' to discuss the 'Semiconductor Talent Development Plan.'

Amid fierce global competition for semiconductor technology supremacy, the government plans to select and support the National Semiconductor Laboratory to consolidate national capabilities for securing a super-gap technology advantage. The goal is to select the highest-level semiconductor laboratories in Korea to conduct long-term, focused research, secure future technologies, solve corporate challenges, and cultivate master's and doctoral talents with high expertise in a single field.

Selected laboratories will receive research funding of 500 million KRW annually for five years, totaling 2.5 billion KRW. Currently, nine laboratories including Korea University, Chonnam National University, KAIST, and POSTECH have been selected as candidates. An additional 10 will be selected in the second half of the year, bringing the total to 19 designated laboratories. Including 6.475 billion KRW this year, a total of 49 billion KRW will be supported.

The government plans to ensure that next-generation technology development based on private sector demand takes place in these laboratories and will also establish an Intellectual Property and Industrial Technology Advisory Committee to strategically manage research outcomes so that they can be commercialized within 10 years.

Minister Lee also held the 'Semiconductor Future Technology Public-Private Council' on the same day, which includes representatives from government, industry, academia, and research sectors to discuss semiconductor talent development plans. At the meeting, the Semiconductor Industry Association presented on the topic of ‘Current Status and Response Plans for Advanced Semiconductor Talent.’

Minister Lee stated, "The most important thing is to create a research environment where challenging research can be conducted stably and to continuously secure excellent talent," adding, "The government will actively operate the council to ensure close cooperation between the public and private sectors to effectively promote future semiconductor technology development and advanced talent cultivation."

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