S Korean president urges expanded technology cooperation with Japan

That's good development for both countries

Go Japan! Go South Korea!

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Tech/Semiconductors/Japan-export-curbs-pay-off-for-South-Korean-chip-materials-makers

Japan export curbs pay off for South Korean chip materials makers

Profits double as Samsung and others pivot to domestic suppliers

KOTARO HOSOKAWA, Nikkei staff writer

March 26, 2023 00:02 JST

SEOUL -- Earnings at South Korean suppliers of chipmaking materials more than doubled over four years as Japanese restrictions on exports of vital supplies spurred chipmakers like Samsung Electronics to buy locally.

@Xavier

Korea's dependence on semiconductor equipment from the U.S., Japan and the Netherlands has reached 77.5 percent

I clearly said "material", not equipment.

Samsung currently has a ban on "Made In Japan" material to ensure they are ban-proof from Japan.

Japanese companies can continue to supply Samsung, but only if they are supplying material made outside of Japan, such as in Korea, Taiwan, Europe, etc. All have complied.

The smaller foundries are still exposed to Japan risks, but Samsung and SK Hynix are not.

I think South Korean President Yoon should be applauded for doing so much to reconcile with Japan. I really think both sides have so much to gain from each other.

Of course a certain communist neighbor will try to sow discord between the two countries. After all, divide & conquer is one of the strategies of Sun Tze.

@ReasonandWisdomNipponToday

South Korea cannot make anything without Japanese chemicals.

Samsung's chip operation has been Japan-free since the end of 2022.

They spent tens of billions of dollars to rebuild their supply chain and stabilize production line without Japan material since 2019, can't go back now regardless of what Yoon says.

South Korea cannot make anything without Japanese chemicals.

When Japan in 2019 removed South Korea from the white list of friends, Samsung and other Korean companies came begging to continue business as usual.

Could be difficult…..I think the fax machine became obsolete years ago in South Korea.