The United States has publicly indicated for the first time that it is naming South Korea's Honam semiconductor cluster and calling on Korean companies to build memory plants in the United States and secure stable supplies. The South Korean government and companies are facing pressure and pursuing coordination over delays in finalizing their U.S. investment plans.
The United States is taking a tougher stance in calling on the South Korean government and companies to invest in memory semiconductor facilities in the United States and secure stable supplies. It has reportedly presented investment pressure as a related agenda item in discussions over the Honam semiconductor cluster plan.
According to a report by The Chosun Ilbo, the U.S. side has intensified its demands by linking the Honam semiconductor cluster plan with investment by Korean companies in the United States. South Korean officials conveyed the U.S. position and explained that its intention to encourage local investment had become clear.
The United States is dissatisfied with the delay in finalizing the investments. The South Korean government regards the construction of its domestic semiconductor industry cluster and investment projects in the United States as separate issues, and plans to announce its first investment project in the United States in September. The specific scale and details of the project have not been disclosed.
The pressure to build facilities in the United States and the burden of the 800 trillion-won Honam cluster plan could weigh on domestic companies at the same time. Meetings between chaebol leaders and the president have become more frequent as they discuss how to respond.