Achieved after 24 years since 10 billion dollar exports in 1994…the 11th Semiconductor Day Event

Semiconductor exports entered the 100 billion dollar era for the first time in single component exports.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy revealed on the 25th that South Korea’s semiconductor exports hit 100 billion dollars in 16th of October this year, already surpassing last year’s annual record of 97.9 billion dollars.

On the 2nd of October, the aggregated semiconductor exports since 1977, when export statistics were first collected, went past 1 trillion dollars. It is the first time for single component exports.

Until now only some finished products were exported over 1000 billion dollars per year including: The United States’ aircrafts (in 2013); China’s computers (in 2008) and wired and wireless communication devices (in 2010); Germany and Japan’s cars (in 2004 and 2007 respectively).

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, as a single item, however, Korea’s semiconductor exports surpassed 100 billion dollars for the first time in the world.

The United states, which holds number one dominance over the world’s semiconductor market but relies heavily on oversea manufacturers, holds the record of 60 billion dollars in 2000. Japan, also a major exporter of semiconductors, only stayed at 46.2 billion dollars in 2007.

It took 24 years for Korea to achieve 100 billion dollars in semiconductor exports since the record of 10 billion dollars in 1994.

The government has hosted the annual ‘Semiconductor Day’ in October since 2008, commemorating the record of 1994.

The event will also be held this year at Seoul COEX Intercontinental Hotel in the presence of important figures in the industry and academy including Yunmo Sung, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Sungwook Park, chairman of Korea Semiconductor Industry Association.

It is expected to be a more meaningful day with the record of world’s first 100 billion dollar exports.

In the congratulatory speech released beforehand, Minister Sung congratulated the achievement and conveyed his appreciation for continuous efforts of the industry for the development of the semiconductor industry.

Minister Sung said, “For our semiconductor industry to lead the world market regardless of competing countries such as China and the United States and adjust to the environmental change due to the fourth industrial revolution, continuous endeavor is necessary.” He also urged the semiconductor industry to drive innovation in manufacturing for revolutionary growth in our key industries.

Minister Sung suggested some directions in which our semiconductor industry should go forth: securement of next generation semiconductor technology; innovative configuration of the semiconductor industry ecosystem for materials, components, and devices; and cooperation with the system semiconductor market.

Additionally, he said, “individuals will lead innovation and the government will focus on being the support tower. We plan to give as much governmental support as possible for continuous exports of over 100 billion dollars, which can securely maintain the stature of our country’s capability in exports.

At this event, government awards will be given to the 47 selected people who contributed to the semiconductor industry.

Samsung Electornics CEO Gyoyoung Jin will receive the Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit for generating new market space for three dimensional memories with the world’s first VNAND and TSV technology and for his contribution in making Samsung Electronics the number one company in the field.

Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit will be given to DB HiTek CEO Chang-Sik Choi who advanced the domestic foundry industry to maintain a stand-alone model.

The ‘Special Recognition Award for the Outstanding Person in Semiconductor(자랑스러운 반도체인 특별공로상)’, the most honorable special award, will be given to Oh-hyun Kwon, CEO of Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, who bolstered competitiveness in the semiconductor industry with the development of world’s first 64M DRAM, and devoted himself in the advancement of the industry for around 40 years.

SNU Emeritus Professors Young-June Park and Hyung Jun Kim will receive the Special Recognition Award for the development of key technologies and cultivation of professional domestic human resources in the field of semiconductor while serving as SNU professors for around 30 years.

Source: https://ee.snu.ac.kr/community/news?bm=v&bbsidx=48065
Translated by Kyungjin Lee, English Editor of Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, jin11542@snu.ac.kr