KOKO Business · 2 Nov 2026
South Korea Warns of Chinese Semiconductor Threat

South Korea's semiconductor industry faces growing pressure as Chinese firms expand their market presence. A report from PwC's South Korean branch highlights concerns over Chinese competitors gaining traction in key areas such as conventional memory and mature-node manufacturing.
The report emphasizes the need for South Korean chipmakers to enhance cost efficiency in commodity memory while investing in advanced technologies like high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and packaging. These areas are critical for supporting AI processors and maintaining a competitive edge.
PwC's analysis suggests that Chinese companies such as CXMT and YMTC are rapidly increasing production, which could challenge South Korea's position in the global semiconductor market. The report urges local firms to focus on innovation and specialized sectors to counter this trend.