IBOV 185,147.15 ▼ 0.02% IPSA 11,315.26 ▼ 1.14% IPC MEX 64,639.55 ▼ 0.35% MERVAL 3,033,060 ▼ 0.53% COLCAP 2,564.35 ▲ 0.78% BVL PERÚ 59,789.81 ▼ 0.21% USD/BRL5.12▼ 0.07% USD/MXN16.90▲ 0.12% USD/CLP933.63▼ 0.10% USD/COP3,116▼ 0.45% USD/PEN3.36▲ 0.10% USD/ARS1,511▲ 0.15% USD/UYU40.24— 0.00% USD/PYG5,947— 0.00% USD/BOB12.40— 0.00% USD/DOP59.00— 0.00% USD/CRC448.67— 0.00% USD/GTQ7.63— 0.00% USD/HNL26.84— 0.00% USD/NIO36.62— 0.00% USD/VES811.71▲ 0.66% USD/PAB1.00— 0.00% USD/BZD2.00— 0.00% USD/JMD 157.28 — 0.00% USD/TTD6.71— 0.00% EUR/BRL5.96▲ 0.24% BRENT 88.88 ▼ 0.03% WTI 83.11 ▼ 0.11% IRON ORE 161.91 — — COPPER 6.61 ▲ 0.03% GOLD 4,461 ▲ 1.78% SILVER 65.59 ▲ 1.26% SOY 1,184 ▲ 3.20% CORN 480.50 ▲ 10.02% WHEAT 655.00 ▲ 3.93% COFFEE 317.25 ▼ 5.51% SUGAR 16.43 ▼ 1.79% ORANGE JUICE 138.55 ▼ 0.47% COTTON 85.03 ▲ 2.33% COCOA 5,719 ▲ 3.18% BEEF 223.60 ▼ 3.93% CATTLE 339.10 ▼ 3.16% LITHIUM 75.20 ▲ 1.47% PETR4 41.64 ▼ 0.05% VALE3 72.97 ▲ 0.83% ITUB4 38.60 ▼ 1.03% BBDC4 16.85 ▲ 0.36% ABEV3 14.89 ▼ 0.80% BBAS3 19.37 ▲ 0.47% B3SA3 14.26 ▼ 0.21% WEGE3 47.59 ▲ 0.49% PRIO3 59.14 ▼ 0.19% SUZB3 41.33 ▲ 2.35% RENT3 34.68 ▼ 0.09% AZZA3 15.89 ▼ 2.63% CSAN3 3.22 ▼ 1.83% RAIZ4 0.25 — 0.00% PCAR3 2.75 ▼ 0.36% GMAT3 3.65 ▼ 1.08% PSSA3 48.13 ▼ 0.54% CVCB3 1.33 ▼ 2.92% POSI3 3.36 ▲ 2.44% SLCE3 13.34 ▲ 0.30% NATU3 8.14 ▼ 0.73% IBOV 185,147.15 ▼ 0.02% IPSA 11,315.26 ▼ 1.14% IPC MEX 64,639.55 ▼ 0.35% MERVAL 3,033,060 ▼ 0.53% COLCAP 2,564.35 ▲ 0.78% BVL PERÚ 59,789.81 ▼ 0.21% USD/BRL 5.16 ▲ 0.01% USD/MXN 17.06 ▼ 0.24% USD/CLP 913.98 ▲ 0.04% USD/COP 3,140 ▲ 0.03% USD/PEN 3.36 ▼ 0.66% USD/ARS 1,493 ▲ 0.10% USD/UYU 40.27 ▲ 1.24% USD/PYG 5,939 ▲ 1.68% USD/BOB 11.64 ▼ 0.76% USD/DOP 58.34 ▲ 1.25% USD/CRC 445.92 ▲ 0.89% USD/GTQ 7.62 ▲ 2.21% USD/HNL 26.79 ▲ 1.57% USD/NIO 36.62 ▲ 0.69% USD/VES 762.44 ▼ 0.13% USD/PAB 1.00 — 0.00% USD/BZD 2.00 — 0.00% USD/JMD 157.28 — 0.00% USD/TTD 6.70 ▲ 0.61% EUR/BRL 5.95 ▲ 1.01% BRENT 88.88 ▼ 0.03% WTI 83.11 ▼ 0.11% IRON ORE 161.91 — — COPPER 6.61 ▲ 0.03% GOLD 4,461 ▲ 1.78% SILVER 65.59 ▲ 1.26% SOY 1,184 ▲ 3.20% CORN 480.50 ▲ 10.02% WHEAT 655.00 ▲ 3.93% COFFEE 317.25 ▼ 5.51% SUGAR 16.43 ▼ 1.79% ORANGE JUICE 138.55 ▼ 0.47% COTTON 85.03 ▲ 2.33% COCOA 5,719 ▲ 3.18% BEEF 223.60 ▼ 3.93% CATTLE 339.10 ▼ 3.16% LITHIUM 75.20 ▲ 1.47% PETR4 41.64 ▼ 0.05% VALE3 72.97 ▲ 0.83% ITUB4 38.60 ▼ 1.03% BBDC4 16.85 ▲ 0.36% ABEV3 14.89 ▼ 0.80% BBAS3 19.37 ▲ 0.47% B3SA3 14.26 ▼ 0.21% WEGE3 47.59 ▲ 0.49% PRIO3 59.14 ▼ 0.19% SUZB3 41.33 ▲ 2.35% RENT3 34.68 ▼ 0.09% AZZA3 15.89 ▼ 2.63% CSAN3 3.22 ▼ 1.83% RAIZ4 0.25 — 0.00% PCAR3 2.75 ▼ 0.36% GMAT3 3.65 ▼ 1.08% PSSA3 48.13 ▼ 0.54% CVCB3 1.33 ▼ 2.92% POSI3 3.36 ▲ 2.44% SLCE3 13.34 ▲ 0.30% NATU3 8.14 ▼ 0.73%
since 2009
Monday, September 7, 2026

South Korea’s $19 Billion Tech Leap: Powering Up the Global Chip Game

By · May 23, 2024 · 2 min read

Daily Brief

The morning intel from across Latin America. Free.

By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy. We never share your email.

South Korea just laid a $19 billion bet on the future of technology. President Yoon Suk Yeol unveiled a pioneering support package to boost the nation’s semiconductor industry on Thursday.

This isn’t just any sector; it’s the arena where giants like Samsung and SK Hynix play, shaping tech worldwide.

Imagine every gadget you use. Whether it’s your smartphone, car, or fridge, they all start with semiconductors.

That’s why this move is a game-changer. Yoon’s plan injects cash into everything, from cutting-edge research to the factories that will bring tomorrow’s technology to life.

Moreover, this isn’t the first time South Korea has stepped up. The new initiative includes a $7 billion investment previously announced, providing a strong support net for the industry.

South Korea's $19 Billion Tech Leap: Powering Up the Global Chip Game
South Korea’s $19 Billion Tech Leap: Powering Up the Global Chip Game.
One-stop reference
Company Intelligence
Every listed company in Latin America — financials, ownership and structure for 1,450+ companies across 26 exchanges, in one place.
Browse the directory →
RT
Ask Rio Times
17 years of Latin America reporting, on demand.
Open the full Ask Rio Times →

Yoon emphasized that semiconductors are where national competitions are won or lost, highlighting the need for speed and innovation in this high-stakes field.

Particularly eye-catching is the 17 trillion won earmarked for financial support via the Korea Development Bank.

This boost aims to solve cash flow issues for companies pushing the boundaries of technology.

Additionally, a 1 trillion won fund will elevate smaller players in the game, helping them to innovate and compete on a global scale.

But there’s more. South Korea is constructing what’s set to be the world’s largest semiconductor complex, just outside Seoul.

Securing South Korea’s Technological Future

This “mega chip cluster” promises to be a job-creating powerhouse that will significantly uplift the local economy.

The focus isn’t only on keeping up. It’s about taking the lead, especially in nonmemory chips, where South Korea is catching up to leaders like Taiwan’s TSMC.

Amid a fierce global scramble for tech supremacy, with the U.S. and China in the mix, South Korea is making strategic moves to secure its spot at the top.

This initiative isn’t just about national pride or economic strategy. It’s about securing a future where South Korea continues to be a key player in technology.

This includes powering our everyday electronics as well as critical global infrastructure. With this bold step, South Korea is not just participating in the global tech race—it’s aiming to lead it.

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error

Read More from The Rio Times

The Rio Times · Power Map
See who really holds power in Latin America
Click to open the Power Map

Rotate for Best Experience

This report is optimized for landscape viewing. Rotate your phone for the full experience.