The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 27th that it signed a memorandum of understanding with Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and DB HiTek at the Korea Science and Technology Hall to lead advanced semiconductor research and technology commercialization.

This MOU was prepared to strengthen the public-private cooperation system to enhance the competitiveness of the domestic semiconductor industry amid intensifying competition for global semiconductor hegemony in the era of artificial intelligence.

In particular, we will focus on improving the functions of ‘MoaFab,’ a platform for public semiconductor manufacturing facilities. Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and DB HiTek plan to increase the utilization of Moafab by supporting 12-inch advanced process equipment and providing advice on highly accumulated semiconductor technology and fab operations.

Moafab is a joint venture between six domestic semiconductor public fab institutions, including the National Institute of Nanotechnology, Korea Institute of Nanotechnology, Nano Convergence Technology, Korea Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, and Seoul National University Semiconductor Joint Research Center, which has recently begun full-scale operation by establishing an integrated system for the use of cutting-edge equipment and support between researchers and companies.

The plan is to strengthen expertise by having the three semiconductor companies’ highly experienced personnel participate in fab operations, foster excellent talent, and link it with corporate recruitment, thereby revitalizing the semiconductor ecosystem.

Minister of Science and ICT Yoo Sang-im emphasized, “In order to respond to the AI paradigm shift and the semiconductor hegemony competition, the consolidation of public-private capabilities is more important than anything else,” and added, “Through Moafab, we will provide the semiconductor processes and R&D facilities needed by industry, academia, and research institutes in a timely manner, and create a virtuous cycle of semiconductor technology commercialization in which excellent research results are passed on to companies.”