美方据称要求韩企投资当地存储芯片工厂并保障供应

Odaily News: Amid growing U.S. pressure on Korea to follow through on its investment commitments, Washington has recently asked the Korean government and companies to build memory semiconductor production facilities in the U.S. and ensure a stable supply of memory chips. The U.S. has also informally expressed dissatisfaction with Korea's plan to advance a massive semiconductor cluster project in the Honam region, estimated at around 800 trillion won, suggesting that Seoul is actively supporting domestic semiconductor investment while showing a lukewarm attitude toward investing in the U.S. This marks the first time the U.S. has referenced a "mega project" led by the Korean government in its investment pressure. During his recent visit to the U.S., Korea's Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ahn Duk-geun, also discussed related matters in investment negotiations. The Korean government believes that the U.S. demand for semiconductor investment is separate from the previously agreed $350 billion investment package in the U.S., and plans to announce its first U.S. investment project in September. Domestic semiconductor companies are concerned that taking on formal U.S. factory requirements while simultaneously advancing the Honam cluster could create a dual burden. Separately, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul spoke by phone with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that evening to exchange views on U.S. investment and bilateral relations.