Semiconductor shortage
New strategy needed to boost competitiveness
The world is suffering an increasingly acute shortage of semiconductors, particularly for automotive use. South Korea is no exception. That s why Industry Minister Sung Yun-mo has promised to work out measures to address the shortfall.
His promise came Friday during a meeting with representatives of the local chip industry, including CEOs of Samsung Electronics, SK hynix and DB HiTek. He said his ministry will soon announce a K-semiconductor belt strategy aimed at turning Korea into a global factory for advanced semiconductors.
Now the government should come up with comprehensive support programs for the industry. It needs to comply with the CEOs request for more incentives for expanding manufacturing capacity, more investment in research and development, and an active response to the rapidly changing global market situation.
China, S.Korea offer model for cooperation amid US bid to sow discord
As the world seems to be facing an increasingly bumpy recovery road amid uncertain geopolitical environment, China and South Korea, which effectively handled the COVID-19 pandemic, have been ratcheting up efforts to form closer bilateral ties and expand cooperation in the post-pandemic recovery.
During a recent meeting held in Xiamen, East China’s Fujian Province, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong agreed to further strengthen collaboration in various areas from economy to diplomacy.
Specifically, the two sides agreed to strengthen coordination on establishing a mechanism for mutual recognition of health codes, advancing vaccine cooperation, and further expanding the scope of beneficiaries of the “fast track”. They also agreed to jointly safeguard multilateralism and promote the early implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Pa
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High-wire act for Seoul in balancing ties with US and China South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong (left) and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, ahead of talks in Xiamen, China. Photo: EPA-EFE
Choosing between Beijing and Washington is not in the interests of China s neighbours. Many count China as their most important trading partner, while several simultaneously look to the United States to assure security.
But as American and Chinese rivalry intensifies, so does the pressure to pick sides. Among the governments walking a diplomatic tightrope in an attempt to be neutral, South Korea s predicament is as difficult as it is typical.
Defense ministry rejects Japan s renewed claims over Dokdo islets
Posted : 2021-04-05 11:51
Updated : 2021-04-05 16:07
Members of South Korea s Naval Special Warfare Flotilla rappel down on Dokdo Island from a UH-60 chopper during a defense drill on the country s easternmost lands and waters, Aug. 25, 2019. Courtesy of Republic of Korea Navy
South Korea s defense ministry on Monday flatly dismissed Japan s renewed territorial claims to the country s easternmost islets of Dokdo, saying Seoul does not even have to repeat explanations on the matter.
Last week, the Japanese government approved 296 textbooks for first-year high school students, including 30 kinds for social studies subjects, which contain Tokyo s sovereignty claims to Dokdo.