Samjeonnix to Rise as AI Era Expands

As the AI era dawns, the need for memory semiconductors in industrial settings is growing significantly. This means that beyond merely the advancement of AI technology, demand for memory semiconductors will continuously increase as AI begins to be applied in actual industrial sites. Professor Ahn Yu-hwa mentioned that as the AI era expands and industrial sites become more essential, that market has not yet developed, and highways haven't even been laid. Eventually, to reach humanoids, even more memory semiconductors will be needed. This trend presents a positive outlook for the future of the Korean semiconductor industry.

This signifies the coming of an era where not just technology but also manufacturing cost competitiveness and mass distribution become crucial.

Professor Ahn Yu-hwa emphasized that field data must be used to train humanoids, and who trained them is important; the country that possesses these industrial sites will be the winner in the main game. In 2022, China ranked first in manufacturing value added with $5 trillion, followed by the U.S. with $2.3 trillion, Japan with $1 trillion, and Germany and India each with $800 billion. This shows that countries with large-scale manufacturing sites are in a favorable position for humanoid technology development and dissemination.

The technological growth of China's semiconductor industry is considered only a matter of time, and Korean semiconductor companies face long-term challenges. Professor Ahn Yu-hwa stated that China has either caught up with or surpassed all of Korea's industries, and it's ultimately a matter of time. Indeed, China's CXMT has grown to become the world's fourth-largest memory semiconductor company. However, the U.S.-led supply chain decoupling acts as a safeguard for the Korean semiconductor industry, with some evaluations suggesting that Korea would have been truly at risk if the entire world had operated under a single supply chain.

The Korean economy has overcome various crises in the past and grown, and it possesses geopolitical advantages in the global economic environment. While maintaining an open mindset is a prerequisite for future development, as an expert, she refrained from making specific comments on individual investment assets.

Professor Ahn Yu-hwa emphasized that if we do well with 'no nationality, no religion, no selection,' then we should simply be open to everyone worldwide. This means that moving beyond closed nationalism and actively attracting global talent is essential for securing the future competitiveness of Korean companies.

Although U.S. interest rates are a critical factor in determining asset price discount rates, the growth of the AI industry ensures a long-term upward trajectory for semiconductor companies despite short-term market volatility.

Professor Ahn Yu-hwa pointed out that industrial sites cannot be used at all if an accident occurs; for example, if a robot performs well 99 times but causes one accident, it becomes unusable. Currently, the humanoid component supply chain relies heavily on Japanese joint reducers, making it difficult to secure price competitiveness. In contrast, China has secured its own supply chain, giving it an advantage in price competitiveness.

In contrast, it was mentioned that countries like China might see faster technological development due to relatively fewer regulations.

This signifies the importance of an investment strategy that secures asset income by investing in both the U.S. and Chinese markets, while also supporting the long-term growth of companies.

While young talents in China are growing rapidly, competing 24/7, Korea has a culture focused on labor rights. This contrasting situation suggests that changes in Korea's talent policy are urgent.

Professor Ahn Yu-hwa explained that companies like Unitree emerge every year, and with continuous policy drives and financial support, more will appear next year. This indicates growing interest in promising unlisted companies nearing IPOs and the rapid development of China's technological ecosystem.

Professor Ahn Yu-hwa emphasized that Korea must recruit the world's most brilliant scientists with top salaries and provide them with the best education. Just as Samsung Electronics recruited a CTO from TSMC, who contributed to the success of the 24nm process, Korea must actively attract talent by leveraging its appeal, such as the number of visa-free countries for Korean passport holders. Securing global competitiveness through groundbreaking talent policies is an essential task for Korea's future.

The importance of IP with high intellectual added value, like in the Hollywood case, is being highlighted. The analysis suggests that Korea, too, must create IP companies with global competitiveness, like Samsung Electronics, to overcome the limitations of manufacturing.

Professor Ahn Yu-hwa asserted that in a capitalist society, one must become a capitalist whose income is generated by a system, not dependent on personal time. She pointed out, 'Why do you keep wanting to be an employee earning a salary when you live in a capitalist country? You must become a capitalist.' The strong preference for employment at large corporations or in medical professions in Korean society can be interpreted as a structural problem where the spirit of capitalism has vanished, preventing individuals from moving beyond the limitations of relying solely on their time and effort.

While most graduates from China's Tsinghua University and Peking University aspire to start businesses, South Korean 'SKY' university students tend to prefer working for large corporations. Professor Ahn Yu-hwa explained that a survey at Tsinghua University showed most graduates wanting to start a business, whereas a similar survey at South Korea's SKY universities revealed a preference for joining large companies. This difference in entrepreneurial spirit could be a crucial factor in determining future national competitiveness and raises concerns about potentially widening economic disparities between the two countries in the long term.