The government has decided to push for the rapid acquisition of development and manufacturing capabilities to build a foundation for technological self-reliance in defense semiconductors, which have long had a high dependency on overseas sources.

According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) today (July 23), the "Strategy for Defense Semiconductor Localization and Industrial Ecosystem Creation" was deliberated as an agenda item at the 11th Science and Technology Ministers' Meeting held on this day.

The strategy includes plans to rapidly promote the development of defense semiconductors based on stable government demand, such as weapon system procurement plans, and to mandate their application in weapon systems based on government-led reliability testing and verification.

However, since mandating the application of domestically supplied defense semiconductors in weapon systems could affect deployment schedules and other factors, the specific level and details will be decided after gathering opinions.

The strategy also includes establishing a public-private joint partnership fab to support research and development in manufacturing and mass production for outsourced defense semiconductor foundries, as well as designating and fostering defense semiconductor businesses to cultivate professional talent.

In addition, there are plans to secure the stability of the defense semiconductor supply chain by utilizing domestic industry-academia-research and international cooperation networks, while stepping up technological competitiveness step by step.

It is known that the overseas dependency for defense semiconductors applied to South Korean weapon systems reaches 99%.

Concerns have been raised that increased volatility in the international situation and supply chain disruptions could cause instability in supply and demand, hindering the timely deployment of weapon systems.

Accordingly, the government has been operating the "Defense Semiconductor Development TF," involving DAPA, the Ministry of Science and ICT, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy since October of last year, and has been pushing for the enactment of the Defense Semiconductor Act.

The Defense Semiconductor Act passed the cabinet meeting last month and was promulgated, and DAPA is pursuing follow-up tasks such as establishing enforcement decrees and regulations.

"Going beyond simply localizing individual parts, we will make every effort to build a sustainable full-cycle defense semiconductor ecosystem ranging from design to production," said DAPA Minister Lee Yong-chul.

(Photo: Provided by DAPA, Yonhap News)