Presidential Office: "Establishing Korea-Netherlands Semiconductor Alliance... Yoon to Visit ASML Cleanroom"

Establishment of Semiconductor Dialogue, MOU, and Joint Project Discussions
Yoon Is the First Overseas Leader to Visit ASML Cleanroom

President Yoon Suk-yeol's state visit to the Netherlands from the 11th to the 15th will mark the establishment of a semiconductor alliance between South Korea and the Netherlands.

Kim Tae-hyo, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, and Park Chun-seop, Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs, highlighted at a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 7th that the key agenda of President Yoon's state visit to the Netherlands is the establishment of a Korea-Netherlands semiconductor alliance and the deepening of a strategic partnership.

President Yoon and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will discuss the creation of a semiconductor dialogue, signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU), and consultations on joint project discovery during their summit and working luncheon.

Deputy Director Kim stated, "We will focus on discussing ways to build a 'semiconductor alliance' that encompasses the government, companies, and universities," adding, "It is expected to contribute to enhancing the supply chain stability and resilience of our semiconductor companies amid geopolitical conflicts and economic security crises."

Furthermore, the plan is to maximize the complementarity of the semiconductor value chain by combining the capabilities of ASML, the world's only extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment manufacturer, with semiconductor manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In particular, President Yoon will inspect the production site of the latest lithography equipment to be launched next year with Peter Wennink, CEO of ASML, and discuss cooperation plans in professional workforce training and next-generation technology research and development with key semiconductor companies including ASML. President Yoon will be the first foreign head of state to visit ASML's cleanroom. King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won will also attend.

A cleanroom is a special room designed to minimize dust and particles in the indoor air and to control indoor pressure, humidity, temperature, airflow distribution, and speed within a certain range. IT-related products such as semiconductors and displays are all manufactured in cleanrooms.

Deputy Director Kim expressed, "By visiting the Dutch innovation site, the President is expected to provide us with hints and insights related to the semiconductor cluster being developed in Hwaseong as part of our government's strategy to become a semiconductor superpower."

Senior Secretary Park also explained, "The Netherlands has formed an industry-academia cluster centered around ASML, which monopolizes the supply of lithography equipment below 7nm," adding, "Since our materials, parts, and equipment (SoBuJang) companies participate alongside Samsung and SK Hynix, both countries will strengthen mutually complementary supply chain cooperation in the advanced semiconductor field and seek joint development such as talent cultivation."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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