Assemblyman Gu Jageun Calls for Establishment of Semiconductor Materials, Parts, and Equipment Research (Promotion) Institute

Global Patent Wars Demand Stronger MPE Competitiveness
Semiconductor Materials, Parts, and Equipment Are the Core of the Global Supply Chain
Securing Autonomous Technological Capabilities Is Essential as a National Strategy

Gu Jageun, Member of the National Assembly (Committee on Industry, Trade, Energy and Small and Medium Venture Businesses, People Power Party, Gumi City A), stated on February 9 that it is necessary to establish a dedicated institution responsible for coordinating and overseeing projects related to materials, parts, and equipment R&D, testbeds, and workforce training, as well as for developing policies on materials and parts, providing corporate support, and pioneering new markets.

He argued that, as global competition in the semiconductor supply chain is intensifying across all segments of materials, parts, and equipment (MPE), moving beyond its previous focus on memory semiconductors, and as legal and technological risk management has become a critical factor determining the sustainability of the industrial ecosystem, it is necessary to establish a new Semiconductor Materials, Parts, and Equipment Research Institute (Promotion Institute) to strengthen domestic competitiveness.

Koo Jagun, Member of the National Assembly (Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups Committee; People Power Party; Gumi City A) / Reporter Kim Ihwan

According to data and reports recently released by Assemblyman Gu, the patent offensive by global semiconductor equipment companies is creating a real burden and threat for Korean materials, parts, and equipment companies. Global equipment makers are weaponizing patents as a strategic tool, filing dozens of patent infringement lawsuits against Korean companies.

Most notably, Lam Research, cited as the global No. 1 company in the semiconductor etching sector, has filed 12 patent infringement injunction suits against Korean semiconductor parts and equipment companies since 2020. The companies currently involved in litigation said that even if they win, they suffer costs during the response process, a decline in corporate value, and a contraction of production activities.

In this situation, the absence of a dedicated institution to support domestic mid-sized and small and medium-sized enterprises in semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment, and the lack of an association that can consolidate the industry’s views, have also emerged as problems. At present, there is no separate association, and only an internal organization exists within the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association.

There has also been criticism that although the government is promoting projects such as the Semiconductor Specialized University Program, the Semiconductor Boot Camp Program, and the RISE Glocal Project, they are being operated in a fragmented manner by each ministry and therefore are not producing sufficient results.

Assemblyman Gu Jageun stressed, "With the Special Act on Semiconductors having passed, preparations are underway to build semiconductor clusters, and a materials, parts, and equipment research institute is needed to generate real synergy," adding, "Semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment are emerging as a core axis of the global supply chain, and securing autonomous technological capabilities is essential as a matter of national strategy."

Assemblyman Gu also announced his plan to propose to the government, as a policy agenda, the establishment of the research institute in order to systematically respond to the structural changes in the semiconductor industry, where global patent wars and technological competition are intensifying.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.