Diplomacy Journal shJung 기자 | On the 23rd, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy Koo Yoon-chul visited DB HiTek, a next-generation power semiconductor company located in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, to inspect the foundry site and hold a meeting with employees.
Next-generation power semiconductors are power semiconductors (converting, controlling, and distributing power to devices) that utilize materials (SiC (silicon carbide) and GaN (gallium nitride)) that dramatically reduce power consumption and heat generation compared to Si (silicon), and are essential for use in a wide range of future strategic industries, including electric vehicles, renewable energy, and AI data centers.
The company will transition from its existing 6-inch wafer process to an 8-inch wafer this year, launching next-generation power semiconductor foundry mass production services utilizing 8-inch wafers.
This will narrow the gap with global leaders (Wolfspeed of the US and STMicroelectronics of Switzerland) and stabilize the entire value chain, encompassing wafer materials, chips, and components, based on demand from finished vehicles like Hyundai and Kia.
Furthermore, innovations in power efficiency are expected to reduce national electricity bills and data center electricity costs, increase electric vehicle driving range, and enhance the competitiveness of the entire industry.
At the staff meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Koo listened to the challenges faced by production sites, securing technical talent, creating markets, and responding to global demand. He also discussed extensively government-level institutional improvements and additional support measures.
Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yoon-chul then personally toured the production line and inspected the foundry site that will accelerate the transition to 8-inch semiconductors. He emphasized that "2026 is the golden time to secure competitiveness in next-generation power semiconductors."
He also stated, "We will encourage the establishment of 8-inch mass production infrastructure by reviewing support from the National Growth Fund," and "We will continue to expand demonstration infrastructure, focusing on regional hubs like Busan and Naju, to support performance verification in industrial settings."
He added, "We will also provide focused support through organic linkages in national strategic technology designation, technology development, and human resource development."
Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of fostering an industrial ecosystem based on public-private cooperation, saying, "To actively create markets, we will strengthen sales support, including technology matching between supply and demand companies (institutions) and establishing a preferential purchasing system for domestically produced semiconductors by public institutions."
Finally, Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yoon-chul stated, "The government will be a strong partner to help Korea leap forward as a global power semiconductor powerhouse."
