South Korea to invest $1.34b in next-gen semiconductor tech
The South Korean government will invest 1.5 trillion won for the next 10 years to support the development of next-generation semiconductor technology.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said the $1.34 billion will be spent to develop new semiconductor materials and devices and make the country a global semiconductor hub.
Minister Paik Un-gyu visited Samsung Electronics' Pyeongtaek factory and SK Hynix's Icheon counterpart and promised support Monday.
The priorities will be to develop next-generation materials and devices in memory chips, foster logic and contract-chip making businesses, and attract global semiconductor materials and equipment makers to build their production lines in South Korea, the minister said.
Samsung Electronics is the largest memory chip maker in the world and ranks first in both DRAM and NAND, while SK Hynix is a runner-up in DRAM and fifth in NAND.
Both companies have enjoyed record profits due to unprecedented demand, which has been dubbed the "super-cycle".
However, neighbouring China has made developing its own memory semiconductor technology one of its top priorities in its Made in China 2025 initiative and is pouring in billions in the sector, increasing worries in South Korea. Chinese firms are also talent-hunting in South Korea to get technology know-how.
Paik said South Korean makers had "unrivaled competence" in DRAM and NAND industries but integration was reaching its limit and new materials and devices need to be developed.
Separately, the Ministry of Science and ICT said the country spent a total of 31.22 trillion won on research and development (R&D) in the IT sector in 2016, accounting for 58 percent of total R&D spending.
PREVIOUS AND RELATED COVERAGE
<="" p="" rel="follow">
- <="" p="" rel="follow"> <="" p="" rel="follow">
<="" p="" rel="follow">
<="" p="" rel="follow"> <="" p="" rel="follow">Samsung Q2 profit halts seven-quarter record streak
Samsung Electronics expects a solid 14.8 trillion won operating profit for the second quarter, a rise of 5.2 percent from a year ago. But it brings a halt to its seven-quarter-straight streak of record profits.
Samsung mass produces 10nm 16Gb LPDDR4X mobile DRAM
Samsung's 10-nanometre-class Low Power, Double Data Rate, 4X (LPDDR4X) DRAM will improve performance and lower power consumption of premium smartphones, it said.
US introduces legislation for Chinese tech sales
Citing national security and intellectual property theft, the proposed Fair Trade with China Enforcement Act would also prevent Huawei and ZTE equipment and services from being sold to government in the US.
Samsung begins construction of $6 billion EUV semiconductor line
The new $6 billion line in Hwaseong will produce semiconductors under 7-nanometers for use in next-generation mobiles and servers when it begins operation in 2020.
Could Trump's China tariffs make IT more expensive for businesses?(TechRepublic)
The tariffs could affect $50-$60 billion worth of goods and increase trade tensions.