Refer Report
A visitor looks at silicon wafers on display at the Semicon Taiwan event that opened in Taiwan on the 4th. EPA Yonhap News (Photo is unrelated to the article)
The U.S. government has established export control systems for cutting-edge technologies such as quantum computing and advanced semiconductors. The U.S. allows countries with export control systems at a similar level to its own to export such technologies without the U.S. government’s permission, but Korea is not included in this list yet.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced on the 5th (local time) an interim final rule (IFR) designating key emerging technologies such as quantum computing and advanced semiconductor manufacturing as export control targets. This measure is aimed at China, Russia, and Iran.
In the quantum computing sector, export controls apply to quantum computers, equipment, parts, materials, software, and technologies that can be used to develop and maintain quantum computers.
BIS also controlled tools and machines essential for producing advanced semiconductor devices, gate-all-around (GAA) technology used to produce and develop high-performance computer semiconductors, and 3D printing technology for making metal parts.
BIS also said several countries have already implemented similar export controls on these technologies, and that they have created a new “Export Control Enforcement Country” (IEC) license waiver that would allow these countries to export controlled items without needing a U.S. government license.
On this day, BIS disclosed the countries exempted from export licenses for the 24 newly designated controlled items, but Korea was not included.
Although Korea is not included in the IEC licensing exemption list, there are observations that there will not be any major disruption to Korean companies.
BIS has stipulated that the ‘presumed approval principle’ will be applied when exporting from countries belonging to Group A:1, A:5, and A:6. This means that if you apply for an export license to the US government, it will be issued. Korea belongs to Group A:1 and A:5.
China said the U.S. government’s policy runs counter to market economic principles.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in a briefing on the 6th, “China has consistently opposed the United States’ politicization and weaponization of economic, trade, scientific, and technological issues,” adding, “We believe that setting up artificial obstacles to normal technological cooperation and trade exchanges violates the principles of a market economy and disrupts the stability of global industrial and supply chains, and does not serve the interests of any country.”
Source: Korean