The British government is inviting semiconductor researchers and companies to join a collaborative research and development mission to South Korea. This initiative aims to strengthen ties and create opportunities for innovation in the microchip industry.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is reaching out to professionals in the semiconductor field to apply for this special trip. Participants will have the chance to work directly with South Korean businesses and researchers, fostering valuable partnerships.
Set to take place over three days in February 2025, the program is open to all UK-registered stakeholders interested in commercializing semiconductor technologies. Those involved in areas like advanced packaging, wide bandgap materials, future telecom networks, and photonics are particularly encouraged to take part.
Successful applicants will be announced in January 2025. This mission comes after the UK recently strengthened its association with the Horizon Europe research program, which DSIT believes will enhance collaboration with South Korean counterparts.
South Korea is recognized as a key player in the semiconductor market, holding a 17.7% share globally as of 2022, making it one of the largest contributors in the sector.
In 2023, the UK and South Korea formalized their partnership by signing a framework for semiconductor cooperation. Earlier this year, the two nations also co-hosted the AI Seoul Summit, building on the groundwork laid at the UK’s AI Safety Summit in 2023, which brought together leaders including former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.
