Government to Draft Five-Year Semiconductor Blueprint... Encompassing Clusters, AI Chips, and Materials, Components, and Equipment

Outlining Policy Directions and Government-wide Initiatives for 2027–2031

Operation of Four Subcommittees: Cluster, AI Semiconductors, Materials and Equipment, Workforce

Final Approval Following Deliberation by Special Committee Chaired by the President

Yonhap News Agency

The government has begun the process of formulating a statutory master plan outlining the blueprint for semiconductor industry policy over the next five years. It intends to integrate policies that have so far been pursued individually—such as research and development (R&D), materials, components and equipment, workforce, and regional/cluster initiatives—into a single mid- to long-term strategy, with final confirmation scheduled for the end of this year.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on September 1 that it held a kickoff meeting to prepare the "Master Plan for Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Semiconductor Industry," where policy directions and government-wide initiatives for the semiconductor sector from 2027 to 2031 were discussed.

This master plan is a five-year program established in accordance with the "Special Act on Strengthening Competitiveness and Support for the Semiconductor Industry" and its enforcement decree, which came into effect on August 11. Notably, this is the first legally mandated plan that comprehensively integrates policies related to semiconductor R&D, materials, components and equipment, workforce, and regional policy that have previously been announced and implemented separately.

Around 15 experts from industry, academia, and research institutes participated in the meeting. The participants discussed the fundamental policy direction for the semiconductor industry and explored ways to bolster competitiveness in areas such as infrastructure, talent, supply chain, and R&D.

Based on the discussions, the Ministry will operate four subcommittees to clarify specific policy tasks: ▲ Regional and Cluster ▲ AI Semiconductor and R&D ▲ Supply Chain and Materials, Components and Equipment ▲ Workforce, Regulation, and International Cooperation.

The master plan will be shaped over the next four months through subcommittee discussions, consultations with relevant ministries, and public feedback. It is expected to be finalized at the end of this year after deliberation and resolution by the "Special Committee for Enhancing Competitiveness of the Semiconductor Industry," chaired by the President.

Lee Minwoo, Director General for Industrial Growth Policy at the Ministry, stated, "With the semiconductor market growing rapidly due to AI, global competition is intensifying even further. By establishing a systematic mid- to long-term strategy within this year to support the semiconductor industry as a national strategic asset, we will continue to secure unrivaled competitiveness."

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