South Korea and the Netherlands to Include 'Semiconductor Alliance' in Joint Statement... Immediate Response to Supply Chain Crisis (Comprehensive)

First Joint Statement Mentioning 'Semiconductor Alliance' Marks De Facto First Between Both Governments
Government Engaged in Intense Negotiations with Netherlands Before State Visit
"Possible as Countries Sharing Same Values and Ideals"... Signifies Immediate, Efficient Support
Accompanying Business Leaders Also Express Alliance Commitment, Lee Jae-yong "Strengthening Partnership with ASML"

The 'semiconductor alliance' between South Korea and the Netherlands will be officially documented through an agreement between the two heads of state. This is not just a typical economic cooperation, but a commitment to immediate and efficient response and support in the event of a supply chain crisis. It is the first time that either South Korea or the Netherlands has explicitly named a semiconductor alliance with a specific country in a joint government statement. The Presidential Office is known to have engaged in intense negotiations with the Dutch government over the wording of this statement prior to this state visit.

Kim Tae-hyo, the First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, held a briefing on the 12th (local time) at the press center set up in Amsterdam, stating, "After close consultations between the two countries, the term 'semiconductor alliance' was directly included in the joint statement." The joint statement to be announced by President Yoon Suk-yeol and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will include phrases such as "establishing a semiconductor alliance" and "enhancing intergovernmental knowledge and information exchange to strengthen the resilience of supply chains for critical items."

President Yoon Suk-yeol, on a state visit to the Netherlands, visited the ASML headquarters in Veldhoven on the 12th (local time) and left his signature on a wafer. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Deputy Director Kim analyzed the 'semiconductor alliance' between the two countries by saying, "It is possible because South Korea and the Netherlands are value-sharing countries that uphold the same values and ideologies." Since the two countries are pursuing deep security and diplomatic cooperation as value-based partners across cyber and military defense sectors, a foundation has been laid to conduct in-depth consultations with trust in the semiconductor sector, where advanced technology and economic security interests are sharply involved.

He particularly explained that the term "alliance" included in the joint statement means "that in all industrial sectors, especially in semiconductors which determine the core interests of future economic security, the two countries maintain a technological edge and jointly overcome supply chain crises." He added, "In the semiconductor field, the two countries foster special cooperation during peacetime and, in the event of a crisis, jointly execute and implement scenarios to promptly and efficiently overcome semiconductor supply chain disruptions."

He also revealed the efforts made so far to include 'semiconductor alliance' in the joint statement. A Presidential Office official elaborated, "Even before this state visit, our National Security Office engaged in intense direct negotiations with the Dutch side over the joint statement wording, and after deep consideration, the Netherlands also decided to officially specify the semiconductor alliance."

Earlier, President Yoon had also previewed before visiting the headquarters of the global semiconductor equipment company ASML, saying, "The ASML visit will be an important turning point in the 'Korea-Netherlands semiconductor alliance' relationship." Coinciding with President Yoon's state visit, ASML and Samsung Electronics decided to invest 1 trillion won to build a 'Next-Generation Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology R&D Center' in South Korea, and SK Hynix agreed to cooperate with ASML on developing 'hydrogen gas recycling technology for EUV.' This effectively elevates semiconductor 'cooperation' between the two countries to the level of an 'alliance.'

President Yoon Suk-yeol, on a state visit to the Netherlands, and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands are taking a commemorative photo after the Korea-Netherlands advanced semiconductor cooperation agreement ceremony held at the ASML headquarters in Veldhoven on the 12th (local time). From left: Choi Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group; President Yoon; King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands; Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics; Peter Wennink, CEO of ASML.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Not only the two heads of state but also business leaders expressed their commitment to semiconductor solidarity. At ASML headquarters, President Yoon said, "This state visit will be an opportunity to further strengthen the 'semiconductor alliance,'" and King Willem-Alexander also emphasized, "Semiconductors are at the core of cooperation between the two countries."

Since President Yoon's tour was focused on building a semiconductor alliance with the Netherlands, all participants on site delivered strong messages about economic cooperation between the two countries. President Yoon evaluated, "Through ASML's innovation, the global semiconductor industry has evolved into the single-digit nanometer era," and added, "Semiconductors produced using ASML's lithography equipment have become a powerful driving force for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including artificial intelligence, 5G, and mobility." He emphasized, "The two governments agreed to open the 'Korea-Netherlands Advanced Semiconductor Academy' to nurture the future generation that will lead the global semiconductor industry, making this state visit an opportunity to further solidify the 'semiconductor alliance.'" King Alexander, who attended the official welcoming ceremony and state banquet earlier that day, also stated, "The cooperative relationship between the two countries is developing continuously as a multi-layered relationship," and "Semiconductors are at the core of cooperation between the two countries."

Business leaders from both countries attending the event also expressed expectations that economic cooperation would be further strengthened following President Yoon's state visit. Peter Wennink, CEO of ASML, drew attention by emphasizing, "As the difficulty of technology has increased recently, development costs have surged," and added, "In response, international cooperation encompassing politics, economy, and human resources is important." He continued, "Through MOUs signed today with Korean companies, including the new campus under construction in Hwaseong, semiconductor solidarity with Korea is being greatly strengthened," and noted, "Positive changes such as the Korean government's regulatory improvements related to high-pressure gases have been a great help in enabling the supply of next-generation EUV (lithography equipment) to Korea."

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong said, "We are strengthening strategic partnerships with ASML, the most representative symbol of innovation in the Netherlands, which laid the foundation for global trade and opened the securities market for the first time," and added, "We are looking forward to King Alexander's visit to Korea along with many citizens." SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won also announced additional cooperation, saying, "Starting next year, Hynix will participate in the joint next-generation EUV development project with ASML and IMEC to accelerate the development of high-performance semiconductors for the AI era, and we will also strengthen cooperation with ASML in eco-friendly semiconductor manufacturing, including the hydrogen recycling process signed today."

Park Chun-seop, Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs at the Presidential Office, explained in a local briefing, "We have moved beyond semiconductor cooperation to an alliance stage," and added, "It means cooperating consistently across the entire process from design to equipment and manufacturing as an alliance." He further evaluated, "Nurturing talent together and sharing know-how are things that only a true semiconductor alliance can do," and expressed expectations that exchanges among future generations in the semiconductor field between the two countries will be further activated. Regarding the MOU between ASML and Samsung Electronics, he said, "Our government plans to provide full support from installation to operation."

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