The technological hegemony competition between the United States and China is no longer a distant story. The conflict between the two economic superpowers over advanced technologies, from semiconductors to artificial intelligence (AI) and 5th generation mobile communication (5G) networks, is profoundly impacting Korea's technology industry and economy. What is the essence of the US-China tech war that is shaking the global economy, and what choice should Korea make amidst it? Looking back at modern history, technology has always been at the core of fierce competition between nations. In recent years, the US has implemented strong sanctions and containment policies to curb China's technological rise. The Joe Biden administration, inheriting the stance of the preceding Trump administration, is making multifaceted efforts to prevent China from gaining an advantage in advanced technologies through semiconductor export restrictions, blocking access to critical technologies, and cooperation with global allies. In particular, the US 'CHIPS and Science Act,' enacted in 2022, has become a symbolic example of technological containment, providing $52.7 billion in support for the semiconductor industry while severely restricting the export of advanced semiconductor equipment to Chinese companies. This act prohibits companies receiving subsidies for semiconductor manufacturing facilities in the US from expanding their advanced semiconductor production capacity in China for the next 10 years. Opinions are divided on the effectiveness of such policies. In a Washington Post Global Opinions column, Michael Kim, in his March 29 article 'Halting China's Tech Rise: The Likelihood of US Strategy Success,' assessed that 'US tech sanctions against China are slowing the growth of China's AI and advanced semiconductor industries.' Although major Chinese IT companies like Huawei and SMIC are attempting to develop semiconductors independently without relying on US technology, the prevailing analysis suggests it will be difficult to close the technological gap in the short term. Kim pointed out that China has not secured extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment, which is essential for producing advanced process semiconductors below 7 nanometers, creating a gap of at least 3 to 5 years with the US in AI chip development. He emphasized the necessity of technological containment from a centrist-progressive perspective, stating, 'Restricting China's access to advanced technology through cooperation with allies is a wise strategy to protect national security and economic interests.' **The Dual Nature of Tech Containment Against China** Conversely, The Wall Street Journal presented a different perspective in its April 1 editorial, 'Excessive Containment of China Will Boomerang on the Global Economy,' analyzing that 'technological containment is, in fact, accelerating China's technological self-reliance.' The editorial noted that China invested $143 billion in the semiconductor sector in 2025 alone, a 24% increase from the previous year. China is pursuing policies to build an independent technological ecosystem in areas like semiconductors and AI by strengthening large-scale state-led research and development (R&D) investments. In this process, global supply chains are disrupted, and even US and allied companies that relied on them are suffering losses. Global companies like Apple and Tesla, in particular, have had to incur losses as they could not reduce their dependence on China. The Wall Street Journal editorial warned that 'excessive containment that disregards the free competition principles of a market economy will boomerang,' advocating for problem-solving through mutual cooperation rather than excessive regulation from a conservative perspective. Amidst these international discussions, Korea's position becomes even more complex. This is because Korea, as a global powerhouse in semiconductor production, maintains close economic ties with both the United States and China. According to the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association, Korean semiconductor companies' exports to China accounted for 39.8% of total semiconductor exports in 2025, amounting to approximately $62 billion. Korean companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are facing difficulties in equipment replacement and maintenance at their semiconductor factories in China due to US sanctions against China. In particular, SK Hynix produces DRAM at its Wuxi plant in China, and Samsung Electronics produces 3D NAND flash memory at its Xi'an plant, but the import of advanced equipment for these facilities is restricted by US export regulations. Conversely, the US is demanding that Korea participate in the technological containment of China, which carries the potential to create conflict with China, a crucial market for Korea. Considering Korea's position, the necessity of securing technological sovereignty amidst the sharp conflict between the US and China is emerging. A
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