According to the Korea Herald, South Korea will establish a dedicated semiconductor policy office next week to accelerate major chip investments and enhance industrial competitiveness amid intensifying competition in the advanced chip manufacturing sector. The South Korean cabinet approved the agency reorganization on Tuesday. One of the key priorities of the new office is supporting the semiconductor manufacturing cluster supported by Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. These two companies are expected to invest a combined 800 trillion won (approximately US$595.5 billion) in facilities in the Seoul metropolitan area and southwestern South Korea. The new office, tentatively named the "Semiconductor Innovation and Growth Support Office," will integrate three departments: one responsible for semiconductor policy, the other for advanced chip competitiveness, and the broader supply chain, including materials, components, and equipment suppliers. Simultaneously, the office will coordinate infrastructure construction for large-scale chip complexes, addressing bottlenecks such as electricity, water resources, transportation, and environmental approvals that could delay construction and production; and will oversee the implementation of the "Special Act on Strengthening and Supporting Semiconductor Industry Competitiveness," including drafting a national competitiveness strategy, operating a high-level policy committee, and designating strategic semiconductor clusters.
