The U.S. is pressuring South Korean semiconductor companies to build factories in the U.S., and for the first time, has expressed dissatisfaction with South Korea's 800 trillion won "Honam Semiconductor Cluster Plan."

According to an August 25 report by South Korea's Chosun Ilbo, the U.S. recently explicitly requested South Korean semiconductor companies to build memory semiconductor production facilities in the United States and ensure memory supply. Notably, this is the first time the U.S. has specifically mentioned South Korea's government-led "Honam Semiconductor Cluster Plan" when pressuring for investment, arguing that this reflects South Korea's dual attitude of actively supporting domestic semiconductor investment while being passive about investing in the U.S. This issue was also brought up during South Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-gwan's visit to the U.S. for negotiations on August 16. The report points out that if the U.S. formally demands the construction of factories in the U.S., South Korean semiconductor companies will face the heavy dual burden of undertaking the 800 trillion won domestic cluster construction while also bearing the cost of investing in the U.S. Against this backdrop, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won met with President Lee Jae-myung on August 20, and Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun are also scheduled to meet with the president successively.