Chose Korea Over Taiwan... "In the AI Era, Korea's Semiconductors and Germany's Technology Must Come Together" [Interview]

Christoph Novak's First Media Interview as New German Chairman of KGCCI

"AI Competition Expanding to Power, Cooling, and Logistics... Synergy Between the Two Countries"

"Stable Korea, the Ideal Geopolitical Partner"

"Government's Suff

"The artificial intelligence (AI) boom is opening up new opportunities for collaboration between Korean and German companies."

Christoph Nowak, the newly appointed German Chairman of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI), emphasized this point in an interview with The Asia Business Daily on September 4. This was his first interview with the domestic media since taking office.

Christoph Novak, the newly appointed German Chairman of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI), is having an interview with The Asia Business Daily at the KGCCI office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

AI Power Shortages and Cooling Solutions... The Perfect Korea-Germany Partnership

Chairman Nowak stated, "As AI infrastructure rapidly expands, not only the processing power of chips but also power efficiency, cooling technology for heat dissipation, automation, and a stable supply chain are becoming much more important." He added, "Korea’s semiconductor and manufacturing technologies, combined with Germany’s power semiconductor and energy management expertise, will generate significant synergies at AI data centers." Furthermore, he projected that "eventually, the two countries will broaden the scope of cooperation beyond the traditional supplier-customer relationship, engaging in joint development and technological collaborations."

This is also why German companies are paying close attention to Korea over other Asian countries such as Taiwan. Nowak noted, "Germany and Korea have complementary strengths that can fill each other’s gaps, providing considerable benefits to both sides." He added, "In particular, Korea offers a highly stable democracy and social system, which global companies see as a top advantage when choosing their partners."

The ‘Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK 2026)’, scheduled to be held in Seoul next month, is expected to become a watershed moment that will make bilateral cooperation more concrete. APK is a leading business event where political and business leaders from Germany and the Asia-Pacific region gather, and KGCCI is participating as a local co-host of this year’s Seoul conference. Nowak said, "As top-level political and business figures from both countries will participate in large numbers, we will serve as a bridge to take mutual interest to the next level and create real project opportunities across technology, investment, and supply chains."

As the head of the Korean branch of DACHSER, a global logistics giant, and as an expert in logistics and supply chains, he also addressed changes in the logistics sector resulting from the expansion of AI. Nowak assessed that as AI competition moves beyond chip acquisition to power, cooling, and logistics, logistics has become a critical factor determining business success, rather than just playing a role in product delivery.

He explained, "Regulations for the transport of special cargo, such as energy storage systems (ESS) and high-capacity lithium batteries, via air, sea, and land have become extremely strict. Now, beyond just manufacturing quality products, it is crucial for companies to comply with regulations and ensure efficient and stable delivery to their destinations." As a result, he asserted, "It is essential that not only manufacturers and suppliers, but also logistics companies participate in building the supply chain from the initial stages."

Christoph Novak, the newly appointed German Chairman of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI), is posing for an interview with The Asia Business Daily at the KGCCI office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

"Uncertainty is More Challenging than Regulations... The Government Must Lay the Groundwork"

He also offered policy suggestions to encourage more German companies to enter and invest in Korea. Nowak said, "For companies, 'predictability' is more important than the level of regulation." He continued, "If the regulations are clear, allow sufficient preparation time, and are applied consistently, companies can plan investments and business activities accordingly." He also emphasized that "when introducing new regulations in areas closely related to business activities—such as labor, chemicals, data, and the environment—there must be ample consultations and grace periods." He further requested that R&D and manufacturing investment permitting processes be streamlined and that the central and local governments work together cohesively.

For Korean companies seeking to enter Germany and Europe, he highlighted building 'local partnerships' as the top priority. Although the European Union (EU) appears to operate as a single market, regulations, customs procedures, language, and culture vary by member state, making it essential to have partners well-versed in the local environment. He noted, "This is equally a principle that German companies must follow when entering Korea."

He concluded by emphasizing, "KGCCI will continue to act as a reliable and practical bridge between Korean and German businesses, maintaining close communication with member companies and creating ongoing opportunities for meaningful cooperation that benefits both sides."

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