The global semiconductor market was worth €558.8 billion in 2022, with South Korea taking second place with a share of 17.7%. South Korea's total semiconductor exports in 2022 were €119.5 billion. Semiconductors are one of the main export products driving the Korean economy forward, accounting for 18.9% of the country's total exports in 2022. Korea is the third largest producer after the People's Republic of China and Taiwan, accounting for 17.9% of the world's total production capacity. In addition, Korea is one of the world's most active investors in semiconductor equipment not only at home but also abroad. In the global market for semiconductor products, Korea accounts for 24.4% for semiconductor equipment and 18.3% for semiconductor materials. Its geographical advantage and favourable government policies and support make it an attractive investment environment for companies looking to enter the East Asian market in this segment.

All these aspects present an interesting opportunity for our companies as well. The current trends are mainly towards the future use of compound materials capable of saving energy, flexible semiconductors and those that prevent moisture penetration, or automation and the use of AI. We therefore see opportunities for Czech companies in these areas.

Over 500 exhibitors arrived in Seoul, South Korea, at the turn of January and February for the most important event of its kind in the region - SEMICON Korea. This year's event also largely addressed the issue of the various incentives to the semiconductor industry that governments around the world are planning or have already introduced to support this industry segment. The event, which featured over 2,100 booths and 30 conferences, included the traditional representatives from the Czech Republic - TESCAN, which manufactures scanning electron microscopes, and SVCS Process Innovation, which designs and manufactures horizontal and vertical furnaces for the semiconductor and photovoltaic industries.

Further important information on imports to Korea can be obtained from the links below:

1. Invest KOREA: https://www.investkorea.org/ik-en/cntnts/i-312/web.do
2. Invest KOREA: https://www.investkorea.org/ik-en/bbs/i-308/detail.do?ntt_sn=490787
3. Korea Trade‐Investment Promotion Agency: http://dl.kotra.or.kr/pyxis-api/1/digital-files/c16960f0-1059-018a-e053-b46464899664

Latest trends in the semiconductor industry presented in Seoul

Nejnovější trendy polovodičového průmyslu se představily v Soulu

If interested, Czech companies can contact the Commercial Department of the Czech Embassy in Seoul at: seoul.commerce@mzv.gov.cz.

Jakub Kopecký, head of the economic department at the Embassy of Czechia in Seoul