South Korea, Netherlands to form 'semiconductor alliance'

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol began his visit to the Netherlands, vowing to upgrade the two countries' relations to a "semiconductor alliance.”

Yoon arrived in Amsterdam on Monday on a four-day visit aimed at strengthening cooperation between South Korea, a leading chip manufacturer, and the Netherlands, home to chipmaking equipment companies.

"Semiconductors are an important area not only for our industries but also for our security," he said during a meeting with some 100 Korean residents at an Amsterdam hotel, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported on Tuesday.

Through this visit, Yoon went on to say, the semiconductor cooperation between the two countries will be upgraded to a semiconductor alliance.

Yoon is scheduled to visit the headquarters of ASML, a leading chipmaking equipment company in Veldhoven later Tuesday, together with Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong and SK Chairman Chey Tae-won.

Yoon will become the first foreign leader to tour a "cleanroom" manufacturing facility there, according to his office.

"(The cooperation) between South Korea and the Netherlands is expanding its horizons from strategic areas such as national defense and security to economic and cultural exchanges, as well as exchanges in cutting-edge science and technology," he said.

The two sides are also scheduled to sign several agreements and memorandums of understanding in different sectors.