US administration demands semiconductor investment from South Korean companies; South Korean internet users say, “It would mean dual investment in South Korea and the US” and “A necessary expense”

According to a report by South Korean media dated the 25th, the US government is calling on the South Korean government and companies to invest in memory semiconductor production facilities in the United States and ensure a stable supply to the US market. The US side reportedly expressed informal dissatisfaction that South Korea had not presented a specific investment plan, while referring to the Honam semiconductor mega-project announced by South Korea.

South Korean officials explained that they had been asked not only to build a memory plant locally, but also to ensure a stable supply within the United States. This is believed to be the first time that the United States has cited a large-scale project led by the South Korean government while calling for investment. Another official said the request reflected dissatisfaction with delays in South Korean companies’ US investment plans.

The South Korean government said the US request for investment was a separate matter from the roughly $350 billion in US investment announced last year. It plans to announce its first US investment project as early as September, and concerns have been raised that if it is also asked to build a plant locally in addition to developing a cluster in the Honam region, it may need to make substantial capital investments both in South Korea and the United States.

South Korea’s top executives held talks in August regarding investment in the United States, and plans for further meetings were also reported. Online reactions have been mixed, with some supporting local production to secure access to the US market and others concerned that it would result in dual investment. The translated and edited report said that it is expected to take more time to finalize the investment decision.