U.S.-China Technology Competition and Semiconductors: Chip 4 Controversy and Implications for South Korea

Woo Jung Yeop

(woo@sejong.org)

Senior Research Fellow,

the Sejong Institute

Executive Summary

■ The discussion around the so-called "Chip 4 Alliance" has been rather exhaustive as sound policy discussion has not taken place from the beginning due to a lack of understanding of U.S. policies and an overestimation of the possibility of China's opposition among many factors that had to be considered. 

■ Although the U.S. has pursued various policies with its consideration of the strategic competition against China, the contents and actual characteristics of each policy vary greatly. 

■ There are more interested parties intervening in the security sector related to the economy and technology than in the traditional military and security sectors. Furthermore, it is necessary to understand that there are parts that the U.S. government can and cannot do due to the derivative effects in the economic sector.

■ The structure of the argument that all U.S.-led policies have implications for China and that South Korea's participation in the discussion itself could cause problems in its relations with China is not helpful to the national interest. ​