"Trump's Second Term, Era of Technological Hegemony"... NAEK Discusses Survival Strategies for Korea's Semiconductor and Battery Industries

Kyung Kyehyun, Executive Advisor at Samsung Electronics, and Kim Yonghwa, Advisor at Hyundai Motor, to Participate

Exploring Korea's Industrial Strategies Amid US-China Decoupling and Supply Chain Restructuring

The National Academy of Engineering of Korea (NAEK) will hold a forum to discuss strategies for Korea's advanced industries in response to the US-China technological hegemony competition and the restructuring of global supply chains. With economic security risks growing in the semiconductor, automotive, and battery industries, the forum aims to closely examine survival strategies and trade policy responses for Korean industry.

On May 13, NAEK announced that it would host the 285th NAEK Forum on May 18 at El Tower in Yangjae-dong, Seoul, under the theme "Technological Hegemony Competition and International Trade: Restructuring of Norms and Korea's Choices."

Recently, the global economic order has been rapidly shifting from a free trade-based system to one centered on economic security and technological competition. In particular, there is analysis that the rise of new protectionism and the trend of US-China technological decoupling, both of which could intensify following the inauguration of the second Trump administration, may directly impact Korea's export-dependent industries.

At this forum, Han-Koo Yeo, Head of Trade Negotiations at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, will deliver a congratulatory address, followed by keynote presentations from Lee Jaemin, Dean of Seoul National University School of Law, and Kyung Kyehyun, Executive Advisor at Samsung Electronics.

Dean Lee Jaemin is scheduled to speak about the erosion of the World Trade Organization (WTO)-centered multilateral trade system, changes in US trade policy, the nature of the US-China technological hegemony competition, and trends in the restructuring of international trade norms. In particular, he will discuss the potential for Korea to adopt a 'norm-setter' strategy within mega free trade agreement (FTA) frameworks such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Next, Executive Advisor Kyung Kyehyun will present strategies for the Korean semiconductor industry in response to US export controls on China and the restructuring of global supply chains from the perspective of the manufacturing sector. He will also address directions for collaboration among government, industry, and academia to strengthen competitiveness in semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and next-generation advanced industries.

The panel discussion will feature former Vice Minister of Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Park Jongwon, and Hyundai Motor Company Advisor Kim Yonghwa, among others, who will discuss industrial strategies for the era of global supply chain restructuring and economic security.

The forum will address key topics such as whether the new protectionism under the second Trump administration represents a structural shift, strategies for Korean semiconductor companies investing in China, Korea's choices amid US-China technological decoupling, and strategies for restructuring supply chains in the semiconductor, automotive, and battery industries.

President Yoon Euijoon stated, "In the new international order, where technology, trade, supply chains, and security are closely intertwined, it is more important than ever for Korean industry to strengthen its strategic response capabilities. We hope this forum will serve as a meaningful platform for discussing ways to enhance our industrial competitiveness and develop future strategies."