News item | 14-02-2025 | 09:00
South Korea and the Netherlands, together with the United States, China, Japan and Taiwan, are among the most important players in the semiconductor industry. More economic cooperation is necessary to keep this sector innovative and competitive in Europe and thus to ensure our prosperity and safety. Dutch companies and knowledge institutions, together with Minister Beljaarts of Economic Affairs, therefore visit the South Korean capital Seoul from 19 to 21 February 2025. This year, the Netherlands has its own pavilion ever at the leading stock market Semicon Korea there.
In December 2023, the Netherlands and South Korea signed agreements in Amsterdam to jointly work on the further development of artificial intelligence (AI), mobile communication applications such as 6G, quantum technology, digitization of the manufacturing industry, knowledge and talent exchange in the field of semiconductors . The Netherlands is leading in technology for semiconductor production machines, while chip production itself is one of the most important economic activities in South Korea.
Minister Beljaarts (Economic Affairs): “The strongly innovative nature of South Korea invites you to work together in areas with shared force. It’s not for nothing that the country is a market leader in the chip industry. The Netherlands wants to take the lead itself to allow the most involved EU countries and the European Commission to work together better in this sector. Consider policy for photonics, AI, 6G and quantum technology or the development of innovations around design, stacking or packaging chips. In this way we stimulate entrepreneurship here and we are less undesirable depending on technologies, (half) products or raw materials. ”
Both countries organize a joint seminar during this Semicon Korea – an event that has been taking place since 1987 – about cooperation, investments, research and innovation in the semiconductor sector and related technology. Minister Beljaarts in Seoel also speaks about the opportunities and challenges in the semiconductor sector with his official Minister AHN (Trade, Industry, Energie). In December 2023, during the state visit of the South Korean president, he participated in a large business meeting in Amsterdam with entrepreneurs from both countries.
Minister Beljaarts also speaks and visits various Dutch and South Korean companies that are important players in the chip sector. For example, he meets representatives of ASML, ASM and SK Hynix and visits Samsung Electronics, one of the global precursors in the field of memory chips production. The minister also has a working visit to Posco Holdings, a leading company in raw materials and materials that are necessary for electronics, batteries and the energy transition.