S. Korea, Netherlands agree to establish 'semiconductor alliance' in summit

HAGUE/SEOUL, Dec. 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the Netherlands agreed to forge a close industrial partnership in cutting-edge sectors, such as semiconductors, in a bilateral summit held Wednesday.

President Yoon Suk Yeol and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte adopted a joint statement that codified a "semiconductor alliance" during their summit held in The Hague during Yoon's state visit to the Netherlands, Yoon's office said.

Under the new partnership, South Korea and the Netherlands also agreed to establish a biennial 2+2 foreign and industry ministerial dialogue to deepen the "strategic partnership relationship."

Yoon and Rutte acknowledged the respective country's "mutually supplementary relationship" in the global chip value chain and reaffirmed their commitment to establish the chip partnership encompassing the public and private sectors, as well as academia.

During the meeting, they also agreed to facilitate information sharing on the supply chain of key materials, and cooperate in the nuclear energy industry and renewable energy sectors.

In addition to the ministerial-level meeting, the two nations agreed to establish working-level communication channels between senior foreign and industry ministry officials, and create education programs for semiconductor professionals.

"The two sides expressed great satisfaction with the extensive development of bilateral cooperation in all areas, including the economy, trade and culture," Yoon's office said in a statement.

"Both countries will strengthen cooperation in various fields, including economic security and maritime security, to contribute to global peace, prosperity and security as strategic partners."

ejkim@yna.co.kr
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