South Koreas Subtle Role in the US - China Semiconductor Dispute

In the current international situation, the semiconductor industry has become the focus of global technological competition. As a leader in the technology field, the United States has been striving to maintain its leading position in high - tech fields. At the same time, as the worlds second - largest economy, the rapid development of Chinas semiconductor industry has attracted high attention from the United States. In order to curb Chinas development in the semiconductor field, the United States has taken a series of restrictive measures against it and sought the support and cooperation of its allies.

South Korea, as an important player in the global semiconductor industry, plays a particularly crucial role in this international game. Ahn Duk - geun, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy of South Korea, made a statement on the issue of the United States asking South Korea to restrict the export of semiconductor equipment to China during an interview with special correspondents at Washington Dulles International Airport in the United States. Ahn Duk - geun said that the South Korean government basically maintains the general direction of cooperation with its allies, but at the same time, it is also striving to maintain a stable relationship with China in the fields of industry and economy and trade. This statement indicates that on the basis of following the principle of cooperation with allied countries, South Korea also fully considers its relationship with China and tries to find a balance between the two major economies.

Ahn Duk - geun emphasized that in order not to over - implement export controls, the South Korean government is taking relevant measures, which shows that while abiding by international rules, South Korea is also actively seeking solutions to mitigate the potential negative impacts of policies. Regarding the cooperation tone of export controls formed with countries such as the United States and Japan, Ahn Duk - geun said that various consultations are currently continuing, showing that South Koreas position on this matter is both firm and flexible, aiming to protect its own interests while maintaining good relations with major trading partners.

Facing the pressure exerted by the United States on South Korea to implement semiconductor equipment controls on China like Japan and the Netherlands, Ahn Duk - geun revealed that the South Korean government has coordinated with the United States through multilateral export control mechanisms such as the Wassenaar Arrangement and from the bilateral perspective between South Korea and the United States, but the specific content is not suitable for disclosure. This shows that South Korea has taken a cautious and prudent attitude in handling such sensitive issues, aiming to find a solution acceptable to both sides through dialogue and cooperation.

Regarding the subsidies provided by the United States to Samsung Electronics under the CHIPS Act, Ahn Duk - geun said that both sides reached a consensus that South Korean companies should at least not be treated more unfavorably than companies from other countries, and the United States promised to provide care in this regard as much as possible. This shows the efforts and effectiveness of the South Korean government in protecting the interests of domestic enterprises, and also reflects the close relationship between South Korea and the United States in the fields of economic and technological cooperation.

During his visit to the United States, Ahn Duk - geun will meet with high - level government officials such as the US Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Energy, as well as core figures from Congress and major think - tanks to discuss matters such as South Korea - US industrial, energy cooperation, and economic and trade cooperation. These meetings will further deepen the cooperation and exchanges between the two sides and help the two sides work more closely together in the face of global economic and technological challenges in the future.