Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong's business trip to the Netherlands gave a mixed evaluation of the Korean and Japanese business magazines.
In Japan, Vice Chairman Lee reported that the business trip was “failed,” and the Korean business magazine reported that it was “a contract to introduce next-generation equipment NA EUV.”
Japan's 'Nippon Keizai' said, "Even though Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong personally went to the Netherlands to meet ASML CEO, etc. "It's not enough," he said in the morning of the 29th, saying, "Two companies, TSMC of Taiwan and ASML of the Netherlands, are virtually monopolizing the manufacturing of cutting-edge system semiconductors, which are the core of next-generation technologies such as autonomous driving."
'Money Today' said in the afternoon of the same day, "According to the semiconductor industry on the 29th, Vice Chairman Lee met with CEO Peter Bennink and CTO Martin van den Brink at ASML's headquarters in the Netherlands on the 14th, and plans to launch after next year. We have completed the contract to introduce EUV exposure equipment to be produced this year, including 'High Numerical Aperture (NA) EUV'. reported
The report continued, “After the battle to secure EUV in the foundry market, the competition for preemption of next-generation EUV is on fire. It was interpreted as a battle to secure NA EUV.
On the other hand, 'Nikkei' said, "Only 100% ASML EUV equipment is used to manufacture system semiconductors for cutting-edge IT devices such as iPhone 13, and there is only one TSMC manufacturer in the world who can make finished products without defective products using this equipment." "The two companies showed confidence that ASML and TSMC will continue to lead the world semiconductor manufacturing together in the future," he said. did.
'Money Today', on the other hand, is based on 'High NA EUV' and 'industry officials'. Considering the length of time it will take and the situation such as the introduction in 2024 that TSMC has formalized, it is highly likely that Samsung Electronics will also apply it to the production process from 2024. The direction of the title of 'High NA EUV introduction for the first time in the world' is expected to be decided depending on the 3nm mass production strategy and current situation. expected to do so,” he reported.
The conclusion of 'Money Today' was <an industry official said, "It doesn't really make sense to mass-produce 3nm based on the next-generation process and catch up with the next-generation equipment by securing next-generation equipment. said. In line with President Yoon Seok-yeol's semiconductor drive, there are also voices calling for more policy support, such as tax credits for investment in facilities and equipment in the semiconductor industry. Even if introduced, it will cost more than 5 trillion won." He said, "It is necessary to expand support in terms of national industrial competitiveness."
Regarding the purpose of 'Nikkei', when Vice Chairman Lee met ASML CEO Peter Beninck, an industry official said, "It is a request to supply Samsung with even a small amount of EUV through a negotiation." "It was not enough to break the solidarity between the two companies. " he evaluated.
The conclusion of 'Nikkei' was revealed because TSMC and ASML, which have been alienated from Intel since 1997, have built a deep bond while developing EUV together for a long time.
Vice Chairman Lee, on a business trip to Europe from the 7th to the 18th, did not appear at the Seoul Central District Court on the 10th and 16th regarding the unfair merger between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries.
The Korean conglomerates have stated in the U.S. State Department’s 2022 “Integrated Country Strategy” that “Korean conglomerates should invest more in safer and more sustainable supply chains. In particular, semiconductors, high-performance batteries, key minerals, and biopharmaceuticals” were specified and entered into US control over the beneficiaries of high growth under the Cold War system.
The strategy, which is the focus of the US mission over the next four years, is the second goal of the strategy: “The comprehensive partnership between the United States and the Republic of Korea contributes to mutual prosperity, inclusive growth, and post-pandemic economic recovery,” and “will result in a more resilient supply chain; Conglomerates such as Samsung, Hyundai, Hanwha, SK Lotte, and other chaebols suggested corporateization in the US, leading to improved market access to US exports and investment, increased direct investment by Korean companies to the US, and expanded human ties.
The first goal of the unified national strategy, “solidifying the U.S.-ROK alliance through mutual defense capabilities, etc.,” stated that the Biden administration’s Indo-Pacific strategy urged “serious and continuous dialogue toward the goal of complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula”.
However, while attending the NATO summit, President Yun Seok-yeol confronted the Biden administration's 'denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula' with 'North Korea's nuclear denuclearization', saying, "Korea's Indo-Pacific strategy meets NATO's new strategy."