Yoon Arrives Under Dutch Air Force Escort... Launches 'Semiconductor Diplomacy'

State Visit to the Netherlands from 11th to 14th... Two Air Force Planes Escorting on Both Sides
Lee Jae-yong and Choi Tae-won Accompany... Visit to Semiconductor Lithography Equipment Company ASML Headquarters
Promoting Deepening Strategic Partnership... Expanding Cooperation in Defense, Logistics, Agriculture, and Science

President Yoon Suk-yeol arrived in Amsterdam, Netherlands on the 11th (local time) to begin a 3-night, 5-day state visit. This marks the first time a South Korean president has made a state visit to the Netherlands since diplomatic relations were established in 1961. President Yoon will start the official schedule with a meeting with the local Korean community.

President Yoon and his wife, First Lady Kim Keon-hee, arrived at Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport around 5:45 PM on the same day aboard the presidential aircraft, Air Force One. As Air Force One entered Dutch airspace, two Dutch Air Force jets escorted it from both sides.

At the airport, they were greeted by Rutger Brummerlar, King's Aide-de-Camp and Chief of Security, Hugo de Jonge, Minister of the Interior, Pieter van der Plijt, Ambassador to South Korea, Dominique Quilling-Bakker, Protocol Chief of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Erik Perval, Deputy Chief of the King's Secretariat, Hans Peinhauzen, Royal Chamberlain, Josephine Maria van Karnebeek-Tyssen, Queen's Aide, and Leontine van den Bergh, King's Personal Aide. On the South Korean side, Ambassador Choi Hyung-chan to the Netherlands and his spouse, as well as Yoon Won, president of the Korean Association, were present.

President Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea and his wife Kim Keon-hee, on a state visit to the Netherlands, arrived at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on the 11th (local time) and are greeting as they disembark from Air Force One, their official aircraft.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The core of this state visit to the Netherlands is the "Establishment of the Korea-Netherlands Semiconductor Alliance and Deepening of Strategic Partnership." In a written interview with AFP released the day before, President Yoon stated, "This state visit will be an important turning point for the 'Korea-Netherlands Semiconductor Alliance,'" and added, "A more systematic institutional framework will be established to focus on global semiconductor supply chain issues."

President Yoon emphasized that "discussions on semiconductor cooperation are the top priority." He further explained, "Korea and the Netherlands share the consensus that 'economy is security and security is economy' in this era, and we will prioritize discussions on strengthening the economic security partnership between the two countries." This means they intend to deepen the strategic partnership based on the 'semiconductor alliance.' Locally, President Yoon and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will discuss establishing a semiconductor dialogue, signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU), and exploring joint projects during their summit and working lunch.

The highlight of the visit is scheduled for the 12th with a visit to the headquarters of ASML, the world's only extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment manufacturer. President Yoon said, "The ASML visit will be an important turning point in the 'Korea-Netherlands Semiconductor Alliance' relationship." At ASML, detailed plans are expected to be discussed to maximize the complementarity of the semiconductor value chain by combining the capabilities of semiconductor manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. President Yoon will tour the production site of the latest lithography equipment to be launched next year with ASML CEO Peter Wennink and discuss cooperation plans in professional workforce training and next-generation technology research and development with ASML and other major semiconductor companies. Since ASML monopolizes the global market for lithography equipment essential for ultra-fine semiconductor processes, this visit represents a significant opportunity to greatly expand South Korea's semiconductor supply chain.

Economic cooperation based on semiconductors will also be expanded. President Yoon plans to extend cooperation not only in security but also in trade sectors such as defense, logistics, agriculture, science and technology, and education. The two leaders will establish and regularize a bilateral "economic and security dialogue" for supply chain cooperation and discuss increasing the annual quota for the Korea-Netherlands working holiday program.

Close cooperation may also be established regarding North Korea's nuclear issue, support for Ukraine, and Middle East matters. High-level exchanges in defense and defense industry sectors and ways to promote cooperation between defense companies are also expected to be addressed. Cooperation in emerging security fields such as military use of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity will be discussed. Additionally, President Yoon will visit the "Rijkszaal" (Hall of Articles), where the International Peace Conference was held 116 years ago, to visit the Lee Jun martyr memorial. The Presidential Office explained that this will be a time to reflect on the spirit of the patriotic martyrs who devoted themselves to restoring national sovereignty and independence, and to express the will to protect freedom, democracy, and world peace based on strong national defense and global leadership.

The Air Force One carrying President Yoon Seok-yeol and his wife Kim Keon-hee, who are on a state visit to the Netherlands, is being escorted by a Dutch Air Force aircraft on the 11th (local time).
[Photo by Yonhap News]

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