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In a historic state visit, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol embarked on a mission to elevate the relationship between South Korea and the Netherlands to a groundbreaking “semiconductor alliance.” The visit, which commenced with a meeting with Korean residents, sets the stage for intensified cooperation between the two nations, both prominent players in the global semiconductor industry.
The first official schedule saw President Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon Hee participating in a grand welcoming ceremony hosted by King Willem-Alexander at Dam Square in Amsterdam. Subsequently, the royal couple was received by Dutch palace and government officials at the Royal Palace, underscoring the significance of the diplomatic ties between the two nations.
Addressing a dinner meeting with Korean residents at an Amsterdam hotel, President Yoon emphasized the importance of semiconductor collaboration for both industries and national security. He announced his commitment to advancing the semiconductor cooperation between South Korea and the Netherlands to the level of a full-fledged “semiconductor alliance.”
During the four-day visit, President Yoon is scheduled to visit the headquarters of ASML in Veldhoven, accompanied by Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong and SK Chairman Chey Tae-won. ASML, a Dutch company, is a key player in chipmaking equipment, complementing South Korea’s role as a leading chip manufacturer.
A notable highlight of President Yoon’s itinerary is his planned tour of a “cleanroom” manufacturing facility at ASML, marking a historic moment as he becomes the first foreign leader to undertake such a visit. The symbolic significance of this visit underscores the commitment to deepen technological collaboration between the two nations.
“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,” President Yoon remarked, highlighting the broadening scope of collaboration. He expressed optimism about the deepening of the relationship through the signing of numerous agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) during the visit.
President Yoon expressed gratitude to the Korean community in the Netherlands, acknowledging their role as a bridge between the two nations. The community, numbering nearly 10,000, has played a vital role in fostering cultural and economic ties between South Korea and the Netherlands.
The historical backdrop of the relationship was not overlooked, with President Yoon recounting the 17th-century voyage of Dutch sailors Jan Weltevree and Hendrik Hamel, whose vessels drifted to Korea, leading to a prolonged stay in the country. Additionally, he acknowledged the Netherlands’ significant contribution during the 1950-53 Korean War when more than 5,000 Dutch troops fought alongside South Korea.
Semiconductor cooperation took center stage even during President Yoon’s discussions aboard the presidential plane en route to Amsterdam. Approximately half of the two-hour meeting was dedicated to exploring avenues for collaboration in the semiconductor industry, highlighting the strategic importance placed on this facet of the bilateral relationship.
As President Yoon’s visit unfolds, the prospect of a semiconductor alliance between South Korea and the Netherlands holds promise not only for the involved industries but also for the broader landscape of diplomatic, economic, and technological collaboration between the two nations.
(Source: Korea Times | Yonhap News | Reuters)
