The semiconductor workforce shortage is worsening not only domestically but also globally. As the government and private sector work together to cultivate high-level domestic semiconductor talent to secure competitiveness in the cutting-edge industry, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix shared a technology agenda to overcome the limitations of next-generation semiconductor development, emphasizing the importance of the role of the materials and infrastructure supply chain.

On the 23rd, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy hosted a public-private joint investment attraction signing ceremony and development strategy forum for the training of advanced semiconductor personnel at Bokko Seoul Gangnam in Nonhyeon-dong, Seoul.

This event, hosted by the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology Evaluation and Planning, the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association, Samsung Electronics, and SK Hynix, brought together domestic semiconductor industry, academia, and research institutes to explore ways to strengthen cooperation to create a virtuous semiconductor industry ecosystem.

Strengthening the semiconductor workforce through a 50/50 split between government and corporate investment.
In his opening remarks, Lee Yong-pil, director of the Advanced Industry Policy Division at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, pointed out the absolute shortage of talented individuals compared to the rapidly increasing demand for them, saying, “The key to the development of the semiconductor industry lies in excellent human resources, and the war to secure excellent human resources is intensifying.”

He said, “Since universities’ semiconductor curriculum and facilities are inadequate, we are seeking to strengthen public-private cooperation. By 2032, we will invest 222.8 billion won, with the government and private companies each investing 50%, to cultivate approximately 2,300 semiconductor specialists with master’s and doctoral degrees.”

The government in 2032Through 115 research and development projects, 4,388 master's and doctoral degree holders will participate and a corporate practical advanced human resource development project will be promoted with the goal of producing 2,365 advanced professionals.

Lee Jeong-ho, PD of the process equipment division at the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology Evaluation and Planning, said, “Since 2013, the private sector has invested 72 billion won over the past 10 years, and we have carried out 166 research and development projects with a total investment of 144.3 billion won.” He added, “Along with Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Wonik IPS, we plan to promote 47 new projects (6 international joint projects) by investing a budget of 10.046 billion won in 2023 through public-private joint investment.” This is expected to foster high-level human resources that can drive the semiconductor industry.

■ Development Strategy Forum: Semiconductor Market and Technology Outlook
On this day, the development strategy forum encompassed the entire semiconductor industry, presenting the outlook for the semiconductor industry this year along with the following: △logic device technology △next-generation memory outlook △package leadership strategy.

The session began with '2023 Global Semiconductor Outlook and Investment Strategy' by Seungwoo Lee, Center Director of Eugene Investment & Securities, followed by sessions on △Logic Device Technology and Future Preparation (Team Leader Hyun Sangjin, Samsung Electronics), △Next-Generation Memory Semiconductor Technology Outlook (Vice President Seonghun Lee, SK Hynix), and △Packaging Leading Strategy for Ultra-Gap Competitiveness in Semiconductors (Director Hyungjun Kim, Next-Generation Intelligent Semiconductor Business Unit).

Center Director Lee Seung-woo predicted, “As Korea’s trade deficit widens, it will be difficult for exports to recover even in the second half of this year,” and suggested, “A strategy to increase valuation will be necessary to boost the semiconductor industry.”

The center director diagnosed the current inventory backlog situation, saying, “The domestic semiconductor industry, which has strengths in the memory sector, not only has excessive inventory, but production capacity also greatly exceeds demand, so production cuts are not an option.” The variable said that it is paying attention to whether the increase in user traffic due to the success of ChatGPT will have a variable effect on future server expansion.
Samsung Electronics Team Leader Hyun Sang-jin said in his presentation on “Logic Device Technology for Breaking Through Limits” that “the most difficult part in advanced processes is MOL (Middle of Line),” and that “we are working hard to solve difficult problems such as interface resistance in MOL and short circuits between gates and connectors.”

He noted that materials and equipment capabilities are becoming increasingly crucial to addressing the challenges facing next-generation semiconductors, emphasizing the importance of developing "CMP slurries, BEOL LOW-K, and wet chemicals." To this end, the company is reportedly conducting research and development with partner material companies. Furthermore, he revealed that etching is becoming increasingly important in the patterning process, and efforts are underway to achieve fine patterning through the development of dry cleaning.

Team leader Hyun, who said that measurement and inspection processes have become so important that they are now called one of the nine major semiconductor processes, also emphasized the need to improve measurement and inspection speeds considering high resolution and mass production.