South Korea

Intelligence for Better Decision Making

South Korea Unveils National Strategy to Lead Global AI Semiconductor Race

Dec. 11, 2025 | Technology & Innovation

South 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 & Defense

The 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

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Trade minister meets new Indian envoy in Seoul for talks on economic and trade ties

Joongang Ilbo | English | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | UndeterminedTrade Issues and Numbers

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo met with the newly appointed Indian Ambassador to Korea, Gourangalal Das, in Seoul on December 10, 2025, to discuss enhancing bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Both parties agreed on the importance of strengthening the foundation for expanding trade ties by improving and upgrading the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with plans to resume negotiations soon.

Yeo emphasized the need for India's support for Korean companies operating in India, which face nontariff barriers and other challenges. Currently, over 670 Korean firms, including Hyundai Motor and LG Electronics, operate in India. Yeo highlighted India as a key regional partner and expressed hope for deeper cooperation in sectors like shipbuilding and critical minerals.

Ambassador Das committed to actively advancing bilateral economic and trade cooperation during his tenure, signaling a positive outlook for future collaboration between South Korea and India.

"한일 정상회담, 日나라 고찰서 개최 조율…아베 피격 장소 헌화도 검토"

Japan-South Korea summit coordinated to be held at Japanese temple…considering wreath-laying at the site of Abe's shooting

Hankyung | Local Language | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

President Lee Jae-myung of South Korea and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are coordinating a summit to be held in Nara City, Japan, around January 13–14, 2026. The leaders plan to hold talks and a dinner in Nara, which is Takaichi’s birthplace and electoral district, and a former ancient capital of Japan.

The historic temple Tōdai-ji, known for its Great Buddha statue and cultural ties to the Korean kingdom of Baekje, is being considered as the venue for the summit. There is also a proposed visit to the site near Yamato-Saidaiji Station in Nara City, where former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated in 2022, to lay flowers. Takaichi, a hardline conservative, is known to pursue Abe’s political line.

Following their first meeting at the October 30 APEC summit in Gyeongju, President Lee expressed interest in visiting Nara Prefecture, which Takaichi supported. This will be Lee’s first visit to Japan since Takaichi took office.

The summit's location in a regional area like Nara is expected to create a more intimate atmosphere by omitting formal ceremonies. Japan aims to reaffirm cooperation with South Korea amid deteriorating relations with China and continue improving bilateral ties.

“삿포로 눈보러 가야하는데”…7.5 강진에 멈칫, 흔들리는 여행객들

Going to Sapporo to See the Snow… Travelers Hesitate and Feel Shaken by the 7.5 Earthquake

Maekyung | Local Language | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | Natural Disasters

A magnitude-7.5 earthquake struck off the coast of Aomori Prefecture, Japan, on the night of December 8, 2025, causing significant anxiety among Korean travelers planning trips to Japan. Despite Tokyo and Osaka being distant from the epicenter, concerns about aftershocks have led some travelers to consider postponing their plans. Although cancellation rates have not sharply increased, travel agencies report a noticeable rise in inquiries and steady cancellation requests from independent travelers driven by psychological anxiety. Flights and accommodations remain operational, with cancellation fees still in effect.

Communities and travelers are actively sharing practical advice for earthquake preparedness, emphasizing the "Drop, Cover, Hold On" method, following public transportation guidance, and moving to higher ground in case of tsunami warnings. Key preparedness steps include saving emergency shelters in maps apps, and using earthquake alert apps such as "Yurekuru Call" and "Yahoo Earthquake Information," alongside maintaining an emergency kit stocked with water, food, and flashlights.

The Japanese government has elevated alert levels following the quake, with the Japan Meteorological Agency issuing a "Hokkaido and Sanriku offshore subsequent earthquake advisory"—the first since the advisory system was introduced in December 2022. Officials noted that after a magnitude 7.0 or greater earthquake, the chance of an 8.0+ magnitude quake within a week is approximately 1 in 100, reflecting an increased likelihood compared to normal conditions.

The earthquake’s epicenter was located about 50 km deep in the sea off Aomori Prefecture, near Hachinohe City, which recorded a seismic intensity of upper 6 (6+), with neighboring areas like Oirase Town and Hashikami Town experiencing intensity lower 6 (6-). The quake caused no fatalities but injured around 30 people and resulted in property damage, including collapsed roads.

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