The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on September 5 the launching of the Korea AI and System IC Innovation Center (K-ASIC) in San Hose, California, which will serve as a hub for supporting Korea’s system semiconductor companies’ entry into the U.S. market.


Held to promote Korea’s system chip firms and their products, the opening ceremony was attended by representatives of MOTIE, Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT), Korea Semiconductor Industry Association (KSIA), K-ASIC tenant businesses, U.S. chip companies, Stanford University, and relevant industry insiders of both countries. Participants discussed measures for stronger Korea-U.S. semiconductor industrial cooperation.


As the U.S. takes up 70 percent of the world’s system chip market, local penetration is essential for Korea’s fabless companies, IP firms, and design houses to grow into global businesses. Accordingly, the ministry has established K-ASIC in San Hose, home to major chip companies, and announced plans to provide comprehensive assistance to domestic firms for U.S. market entry through K-ASIC with respect to technology development, verification, certification consulting, promotion, and networking. Moreover, the ministry intends to continue private sector cooperation through K-ASIC as an extension of joint efforts with the U.S. for next-generation semiconductor collaboration that have continued since President Yoon Suk Yeol’s state visit in April 2023.


A MOTIE official stated that AI semiconductor technology is the gamechanger that will further enhance Korea’s chip dominance and expressed hopes for K-ASIC to give birth to a world-leading company. To this end, the ministry aims to establish a base for raising the competitiveness of homegrown companies through funding, talent training, and production infrastructure support, including the development of a system chip verification support center.


On occasion of the launching of K-ASIC, MOTIE will hold a conference with chip companies operating in the local U.S. market on September 6 (local time) and discuss measures for stronger support for U.S. market entry.