Gwangju's military airport has been chosen as the location for a new semiconductor production cluster, a government-led initiative involving an 800 trillion won (US$522 billion) investment from Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. The site was proposed by the companies for its size and accessibility.
Gwangju military airport in South Korea has been chosen as the location for a new semiconductor production cluster. This project involves a combined investment of 800 trillion won ($522 billion) from Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, forming part of the government's 'three megaprojects' initiative.
The European Commission has proposed new regulations, approved by its 27 member states, to reduce dependence on US and Chinese technology, particularly in microchips, AI, and cloud services. The move aims to enhance "tech sovereignty" and mitigate national security risks.
The EU is proposing new rules to ensure no foreign government or company has a 'kill switch' over vital tech services, aiming to reduce dependencies on the US and China in cloud computing, AI, and semiconductors. The move could increase tensions with the US.
The EU is proposing "technological sovereignty" measures to reduce reliance on US and Chinese tech suppliers in cloud computing, AI, and semiconductors. The plan aims to prevent foreign governments from accessing "kill switches" for vital services and requires risk assessments for foreign providers.
Chinese property developers are diversifying into semiconductor production to revive their businesses. This strategy has led to a surge in their stock prices, attracting retail investors, though concerns about market speculation and company fundamentals remain.
Geopolitical conflict in the Middle East has disrupted Asia's semiconductor industry by cutting supplies of naphtha, a key feedstock for photoresist used in chip manufacturing. The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed since early March, curtailing naphtha supplies essential for specialty chemicals. South Korea's Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are among the most exposed, with Japanese photoresist suppliers warning of looming raw material disruptions. Advanced chip nodes using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography are expected to be hit hardest.
