South Korea

Yonhap | English | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | Epidemics and Pandemics

South Korea reported two additional cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza on December 10, 2025, bringing the total number of infections at poultry farms this season to 10. The new infections were confirmed at a layer chicken farm in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, and another in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province.

Agricultural authorities are implementing follow-up measures including entry controls, culling of affected poultry, and epidemiological investigations. The agriculture ministry has called on farms to strengthen quarantine measures to prevent further spread of the disease, particularly in the Gyeonggi and South Chungcheong provinces where multiple cases have been reported this season.

Disinfection efforts are underway near affected farms, including a duck farm in Yeongam County in the southwest, following an outbreak there on December 9, 2025.

Joongang Ilbo | English | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | UndeterminedPolitical Policy Resistance

Taiwan has escalated its protests against South Korea’s designation of Taiwan as “China (Taiwan)” on Korea’s new electronic arrival card system introduced in February 2025. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry warned it would review its relationship with Korea, and President Lai Ching-te personally urged the Korean government to amend the label, emphasizing the close trade and people-to-people ties between the two countries. Seoul has not yet provided an official response.

Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi also condemned the designation, calling it an unfriendly measure given Korea’s significant trade surplus with Taiwan. Taiwanese lawmakers from multiple parties criticized the move, with some suggesting it reflects Seoul’s shifting stance toward China. However, Taiwanese tourism stakeholders cautioned against damaging relations, noting the economic importance of Korean visitors.

China supported Korea’s position, with a spokesperson reiterating the One China principle and dismissing Taiwan’s protests as political maneuvers by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Taiwan’s representative office in Seoul has raised the issue several times, but Korea has yet to provide a satisfactory resolution.

반도체 설계전문 ‘팹리스’ 10배로…광주·부산·구미엔 혁신벨트

Maekyung | Local Language | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | UndeterminedTech Development/Adoption

The South Korean government announced a comprehensive semiconductor industry development strategy aimed at expanding domestic production capacity and strengthening system semiconductor capabilities, which have been identified as weaknesses. The plan includes fostering the materials, components, and equipment (so-bu-jang) sector, decentralizing the semiconductor industry from the Seoul metropolitan area to provinces, and building a southern innovation belt connecting Gwangju, Busan, and Gumi with regionally specialized ecosystems.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy revealed an AI-era semiconductor strategy that seeks to establish semiconductor sovereignty, develop next-generation memory and AI semiconductors, and enhance ecosystem collaboration among fabless design companies, foundries, and demand-side firms. The government plans to invest approximately 1.27 trillion won through 2030 on AI-specialized semiconductors and provide additional funding for next-generation memory, compound semiconductors, and packaging technology. The strategy includes creating public funds to support fabless companies, promoting domestic procurement by public institutions, and pursuing technological self-reliance, especially in defense semiconductors.

Domestic semiconductor production capacity is projected to increase significantly, with industry investment expected to exceed 700 trillion won by 2047, targeting a world-leading production capacity of 7.9 million wafers per month. Regulatory easing and infrastructure support, including stable power and water supplies, will be prioritized to facilitate growth. Talent development is also a focus, with plans to expand specialized graduate programs and establish a "Graduate School of Semiconductor Studies" to produce skilled researchers.

President Lee Jae-myung emphasized the importance of balanced regional development and cooperation between large corporations and SMEs. He advocated for relocating semiconductor clusters to southern regions, citing abundant renewable energy resources and lower electricity costs, which could reduce production expenses. The President underscored that the growth of the semiconductor ecosystem should benefit a wide range of companies to ensure sustainable industry development.