South Korea and the Netherlands, along with the United States, China, Japan, and Taiwan, are among the key players in the semiconductor industry. More economic cooperation is necessary to keep this sector innovative and competitive in Europe, ensuring our prosperity and security. Therefore, Dutch companies and knowledge institutions, along with Minister Beljaarts of Economic Affairs, will visit the South Korean capital Seoul from February 19 to 21, 2025. This year, the Netherlands is the first country ever to have its own pavilion at the leading SEMICON Korea fair.

In December 2023, the Netherlands and South Korea signed agreements in Amsterdam to work together on further developing artificial intelligence (AI), mobile communication applications such as 6G, quantum technology, digitization of the manufacturing industry, and 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 key economic activities in South Korea.

Minister Beljaarts (Economic Affairs): “The highly innovative nature of South Korea invites collaboration in areas where shared strengths exist. The country is not without reason a market leader in the chip industry. The Netherlands wants to take the lead in facilitating better cooperation among the most involved EU countries and the European Commission in this sector. Consider policies for, for example, photonics, AI, 6G, and quantum technology, or developing innovations around the design, stacking, or packaging of chips. This way, we stimulate entrepreneurship here and reduce our undesirable dependency on technologies, (semi)products, or raw materials.”

Both countries are organizing a joint seminar during this SEMICON Korea - an event that has been taking place since 1987 - on collaboration, investments, research, and innovation in the semiconductor sector and related technologies. Minister Beljaarts will also discuss opportunities and challenges in the semiconductor sector with his counterpart Minister Ahn (Trade, Industry, Energy) in Seoul. He participated in a large business meeting in Amsterdam with entrepreneurs from both countries during the state visit of the South Korean president in December 2023.

The minister will also speak with and visit various Dutch and South Korean companies that are key players in the chip sector in and around Seoul. He will meet representatives from ASML, ASM, and SK Hynix and visit Samsung Electronics, one of the global leaders in memory chip production. The minister will also conduct a working visit to POSCO Holdings, a leading company in raw materials and materials essential for electronics, batteries, and the energy transition.