South Korea-Netherlands 'Semiconductor Alliance' Secured by Yoon: "We Will Create the World's Top Super-Gap"

Yoon on Alliance: "Building Cutting-Edge Technology, Solving Problems, Sharing Information"
"Combining Strengths to Maximize Semiconductor Cooperation Effects and Value"
Emphasizes "Best Relations" with Netherlands, "Relationship Horizon Will Broaden"

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 13th (local time) that "the goal of the semiconductor alliance between Korea and the Netherlands is to create the world's best super-gap." President Yoon explained that the 'semiconductor alliance' between the two countries means "maintaining a semiconductor super-gap, jointly building cutting-edge technology, discussing and solving major scientific and technological issues together, and closely sharing information."

After a summit with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in The Hague, the seat of government, President Yoon held a press conference and said, "Until now, the semiconductor-related relationship between Korea and the Netherlands was a 'close cooperative relationship,' but with this visit, we have elevated this cooperative relationship to an 'alliance relationship.'"

President Yoon Suk-yeol, on a state visit to the Netherlands, is holding a joint press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte at the Prime Minister's Office in The Hague on the 13th (local time).
[Photo by Yonhap News]

President Yoon referred to the relationship between the two countries as a "semiconductor alliance encompassing government, companies, and universities," adding, "The Netherlands, the world's largest semiconductor equipment producer, and Korea, a semiconductor manufacturing powerhouse, hold key positions in the global supply chain." He further stated, "Our two countries aim to combine each other's strengths to maximize the effectiveness and value of semiconductor cooperation."

The establishment of an annual economic security dialogue between the two countries through the 'Economic Security Cooperation MOU' is in the same context. This is a follow-up measure following the formalization of the 'semiconductor alliance' between the two countries. The Presidential Office has established cooperation channels with major global semiconductor powers such as the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom, but through the newly established semiconductor dialogue with the Netherlands, it views the completion of a ‘global semiconductor supply chain alliance’ connecting the entire cycle of design, materials/components/equipment, and manufacturing.

Evaluating the Korea-Netherlands relationship, President Yoon expressed confidence, saying, "This is the best relationship among all our past relations." He added, "The most crucial aspect is the elevation from semiconductor cooperation to a semiconductor alliance. Going forward, based on advanced science and technology and semiconductors, the horizon of bilateral relations will broaden and deepen to encompass security, economy, culture, and all other areas."

Prime Minister Rutte also expressed his willingness to cooperate. Regarding the Korea-Netherlands relationship, he said, "I believe we have reached an unprecedented level of cooperation. It has never been this good." He added, "Not only in traditional fields such as horticulture and agriculture but also in cybersecurity, broad defense cooperation, and semiconductors, which are very important areas."

President Yoon also expressed expectations that the Netherlands will become a key channel for strengthening cooperation between Korea and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He said, "The security of Europe, Northeast Asia, and the Indo-Pacific region is interconnected. When a security crisis occurs in one place, it affects other regions through supply chain disruptions." He emphasized, "Global cooperation and solidarity are essential to overcome security crises and maintain peace." He continued, "Korea and the Netherlands have maintained close cooperation in science and technology, economy, and industry for decades, and based on this, it is now time to engage in responsible cooperation and solidarity for global security and peace."

The signing of a total of six memorandums of understanding (MOUs) during the summit marks the beginning of expanded cooperation between the two countries. The MOUs signed this time include ▲Economic Security Cooperation MOU ▲Core Item Supply Chain Cooperation MOU ▲Government-to-Government Cooperation MOU in the Nuclear Field ▲Carbon-Free Energy Cooperation MOU ▲ICT Cooperation MOU ▲Defense Cooperation MOU, focusing on diversifying economic cooperation based on semiconductors.

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