Government creates public-private collaborative body to boost technological cooperation

The government established a public-private collaborative body with Samsung Electronics and SK hynix to facilitate technological cooperation in advanced semiconductors amid the accelerating chip race worldwide.

Lee Jong-ho, Minister of Science and ICT, speaks during an inauguration ceremony for a public-private consultative body for semiconductor technology development programs held in Seocho District, southern Seoul, Tuesday. The government also announced a next-generation chip technology development plan that day. [MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND ICT]

The government established a public-private collaborative body with Samsung Electronics and SK hynix to facilitate technological cooperation in advanced semiconductors amid the accelerating chip race worldwide.

The Ministry of Science and ICT on Tuesday said that it signed an agreement with private companies and research institutions to form a consultative body aimed at ramping up research and development efforts in the domestic semiconductor sector.

The consultative body consists of the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on the government’s side and includes Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, Korea Semiconductor Industry Association and Korea Fabless Industry Association from the industry.

A total of eight academic and research institutions including the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers, the Institute of Semiconductor Engineers, the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology are also part of the team.

The public-private organization will help facilitate communication between the government, the industry and research institutions while serving as a communication channel for the private players in conveying their demands and needs in regard to the government-led R&D programs for advanced semiconductor technologies.

On the same day, the ICT Ministry announced a long-term plan to further strengthen Korea’s foothold in the chip tech race for the upcoming decade.

The plan was drafted and developed through collaborative efforts from the industry, academics and the government since May last year.

The goal is to secure 45 next-generation chip technologies, which involve chip designing artificial intelligence, 6G, automotive and energy sectors, as well as advanced semiconductor devices for memory applications.

“We will establish an R&D ecosystem where major players in the public, private and academic sectors can continue on with a constant and long-lasting collaboration through the consultative body,” ICT Minister Lee Jong-ho said.

“The government will strategically proceed with our R&D policies and projects based on the future semiconductor technology development plan,” Lee said.

In April, the government promised to invest at least $3.5 billion into chips, displays and batteries over the next five years with the goal of achieving supremacy in the markets.

BY SHIN HA-NEE [shin.hanee@joongang.co.kr]