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South Korea
Intelligence for Better Decision Making
South Korea Unveils National Strategy to Lead Global AI Semiconductor Race
Dec. 11, 2025 | Technology & InnovationSouth Korea is charting an ambitious path to solidify its leadership in semiconductor technology and policy amid the global AI race.
**On December 10, 2025, President Lee Jae-myung convened a high-level briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office in Seoul under the theme “K-Semiconductor Vision and Development Strategy in the AI Era.” The briefing brought together key government figures and roughly 40 leaders from industry, academia and research institutions, including representatives from Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.**
It stressed the dual role of the semiconductor sector as an engine of economic growth and a pillar of national security as global rivalry in AI technologies intensifies.
**The government set strategic objectives to secure South Korea’s place among the world’s top two in both memory and foundry by preserving an “ultra-gap” technological edge.**
It aims to increase domestic fabless semiconductor revenue tenfold and achieve technology and production sovereignty through the development and commercialization of next-generation memory solutions and neural processing units. The plan also calls for strengthening system semiconductor capabilities—especially on-device AI chips—and for achieving self-reliance in defense-grade semiconductors.
**To support these goals, the strategy launches a Global No 1 Development Project to reinforce supply chains for materials, parts and equipment.**
It calls for opening semiconductor-focused graduate schools to build a larger skilled workforce and for creating a Southern Region Innovation Belt to expand the nation’s semiconductor ecosystem. During the briefing, participants discussed changes in the AI-driven industry, plans to increase production capacity and the need to cultivate a robust AI semiconductor technology and ecosystem.
**On December 11, President Lee will meet with business executives from Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, government officials and industry experts to refine strategies for advancing the semiconductor sector, with a particular focus on AI chip development.**
The session aims to address rising global competition for AI technology leadership through a coordinated national strategy.
**Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan will present an integrated government roadmap that emphasizes strengthening manufacturing capabilities in memory and foundry, expanding the nation’s role in chip design and accelerating next-generation semiconductors tailored to AI model requirements.**
The presidential office framed the global AI contest as a semiconductor-centered technology battle, prompting President Lee to mobilize national resources directly to bolster the industry.
US Approves Nvidia H200 AI Chip Exports to China in Strategic Shift of Semiconductor Policy
Dec. 11, 2025 | Geopolitics & DefenseThe United States has granted permission for the export of Nvidia’s H200 AI chip to China, ushering in a new phase of semiconductor trade dynamics.
**The United States approved the export of Nvidia’s H200 AI chip to China, partially relaxing the 2022 restrictions.**
Former President Donald Trump announced the deal on December 8, 2025, allowing Nvidia, AMD, Intel and other American firms to sell the H200 under conditions designed to protect national security. This represents the first approval for such an advanced AI processor since the 2022 export controls took effect.
**Based on the 2023 Hopper architecture, the H200 delivers roughly twice the inference performance and six times the AI training power of the earlier H20 chip.**
US officials excluded more advanced Nvidia products—those built on the Blackwell architecture and the forthcoming Rubin family—from the arrangement. By permitting exports of this earlier-generation, high-performance chip, policymakers aim to preserve a technological lead without forfeiting access to lucrative sales.
**Under the agreement, Nvidia must remit 25 percent of its China-derived revenues from H200 sales to the US government, up from an initial 15 percent proposal.**
The government will allocate these funds to bolster domestic job creation and semiconductor manufacturing, balancing export facilitation with continued economic and security interests in strategic technology.
**South Korean suppliers SK hynix and Samsung Electronics stand to gain from increased H200 orders, as both companies produce the eight-layer HBM3E high-bandwidth memory modules integral to the chip’s performance.**
China’s mandate favoring domestically produced semiconductors may limit H200 imports, depending on Beijing’s policy toward foreign hardware deployment versus homegrown alternatives.
**Observers view this approval as a strategic shift in Washington’s competition with China in AI and semiconductors.**
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says selling chips to China reinforces US market influence and deepens Chinese reliance on American technology. The decision reflects a belief that US leverage over China’s chip capabilities has weakened after advances by firms such as Huawei. It also aligns with the more conciliatory climate ahead of the planned April 2026 US-China summit, using exports and financial terms to shape broader technology relations.
Monitored Intelligence for South Korea - Dec. 12, 2025
News
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314
Government
Releases
20
City/State
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33
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1
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0
Service
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0
Academic/
Think
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4
Think
Tank
4
Podcasts
0
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0
Social
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0
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1
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S. Korea's economy to grow 2.3 pct next year: S&P
Yonhap | English | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | UndeterminedEconomic Growth
S&P Global Ratings projected that South Korea's economy will grow by 2.3 percent in 2026, indicating that the most challenging period for the country is likely over. The credit agency noted that overall credit conditions will remain difficult but expects modest improvement compared to 2025, based on more favorable global economic conditions and eased tariff pressures following a trade deal between South Korea and the United States in October 2025.
The agency highlighted that performance across key industries will vary, with the semiconductor sector expected to show strong results, while chemical companies may struggle due to oversupply and slower-than-anticipated restructuring efforts. S&P also indicated that changes in U.S. policies could impact South Korean firms, and ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions might create new business opportunities for South Korean companies.
꿈의 에너지 '인공태양' 연구시설 나주 최종 확정…'글로벌 핵융합 에너지 선도도시' 도약
Dream Energy 'Artificial Sun' Research Facility Finally Confirmed in Naju… Leap to Become a Global Leader in Nuclear Fusion Energy City
ET News | Local Language | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | UndeterminedEnergy Prices
Naju City in Jeollanam-do has been officially selected as the site for South Korea's national artificial sun research facility, a core project aimed at advancing nuclear fusion technology. The facility, regarded as a breakthrough energy source that is infinite, clean, and safe, aligns with the country’s goal to become an energy self-reliant nation. The final decision followed the dismissal of an objection from Jeonbuk Province and confirmed Naju’s status after a national competition led by the Ministry of Science and ICT.
Naju was rated "very excellent" by the National Research Foundation of Korea for its optimal conditions, including safety from natural disasters, stable granite-based geography without earthquakes, and strong research infrastructure linked to Korea University of Energy and Technology (KENTECH) and Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST). The city's strategic location also offers convenient transportation access via KTX Naju Station and Muan International Airport.
Key to Naju’s successful bid was broad community support, including 120,000 local signatures, active promotion committees, and backing from regional lawmakers. Since early administrative efforts, Naju secured a 49.5 billion won project related to superconducting conductor testing for fusion reactors, reinforcing its leadership in fusion research infrastructure. Collaborative efforts involved government, industry, academia, and research institutions to elevate the artificial sun research facility as a national priority.
The facility, with a planned investment around 1.2 trillion won, is slated for construction starting in 2027 and completion by 2036 near the Naju Energy National Industrial Complex. It is expected to spur significant economic and industrial growth, attracting about 300 companies, creating 2,000 specialized research jobs, over 10,000 total jobs, and generating economic benefits exceeding 10 trillion won. Naju plans to expedite follow-up actions, including feasibility studies and formal agreements with government entities, to support the project’s development and elevate the city as a global leader in fusion energy.
정부, 정유·주유소 업계에 기름값 인상 자제 당부
Government Urges Oil Refining and Gas Station Industry to Refrain from Raising Fuel Prices
ET News | Local Language | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | Regulation
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held a petroleum market inspection meeting on December 10, 2025, with major refiners, discount suppliers, and industry associations. The government urged the refining and gas station industry to refrain from excessive fuel price increases amid a recent upward trend in international petroleum prices.
Domestic petroleum product prices had increased sharply over the past month but stabilized at the start of December. However, international gasoline prices, which influence domestic prices, have turned upward again, rising to $79.4 per barrel in early December after a brief decline.
The ministry requested voluntary cooperation from the industry to avoid sharp price hikes and encouraged discount suppliers to help keep prices stable to reduce public burden. It plans to continue holding inspection meetings as needed and will maintain an inter-ministerial inspection team involving multiple government bodies to oversee the petroleum market.
Additionally, the ministry will upgrade the Opinet mobile app by early 2026 to offer consumers tailored gas station information based on vehicle-specific fuel efficiency, travel metrics, and prices to enhance consumer benefits.
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