Chip Industry Chief Calls for Timely Investment

What happened

Song Jae-hyuk, chairman of the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association (KSIA) and president of Samsung Electronics, said at the 19th Semiconductor Day ceremony held at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in Gangnam, Seoul, on Oct. 21 that timely investment is the most important factor for the semiconductor industry. He called on the government to take proactive administrative measures to support companies in developing new technologies and investing at the right time through proactive infrastructure development, expedited permits and approvals, and bold, swift policy support. He noted that competition in semiconductor technology is intensifying between countries, with major countries fostering semiconductors as a national strategic industry, and that as the AI era gains momentum, advanced semiconductors offering high performance and high bandwidth are becoming increasingly important. He also pledged that the association will continue investing in advanced manufacturing facilities, next-generation technology development and talent cultivation. The article states South Korea achieved $10 billion in semiconductor exports in 1994, and cumulative shipments reached $340.3 billion through September 2026, roughly double the 2025 full-year exports of $173.4 billion. This year, 54 industry figures received government awards, with the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit going to Lee Jun-hyuk, chairman of Dongjin Semichem. This is a call/proposal, not an implemented policy.

Impact and signal

Affected components and suppliers

Source and time

Source: The Elec · 10/21/2026 · View original source