South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT said on Friday it will push ahead with special on-site inspections to identify in advance and improve accident risk factors at semiconductor laboratories.

The ministry said semiconductor laboratory accidents nearly doubled to 32 cases in 2025 from 18 in 2023. It said semiconductor research often involves handling hazardous substances such as strong acids and toxic gases. With research conducted in enclosed environments, accident prevention and management are important, it said.

The special inspections will be conducted on a pilot basis at 3 institutions through year-end, starting with Korea University of Technology and Education. From next year, the ministry will expand the inspections to 22 major universities nationwide and government-funded research institutes. The ministry will distribute by the end of this year a self-inspection checklist covering key safety items to be verified on site. It will provide tailored consulting to universities and research institutions building new semiconductor laboratories so they can incorporate safety from the design stage.

It will also strengthen collaboration with specialised agencies. The ministry said it will sign an agreement with the Korea Chemical Safety Agency by the end of this year and pursue joint inspections of semiconductor laboratories, accident investigations and consulting. It will also run a regular safety consultative body to share and improve laboratory safety issues.

Lee Jun-bae (이준배), director general for Future Talent Policy at the ministry, said it is important to create a safe environment where researchers can focus only on semiconductor research without worrying about laboratory accidents. He said the ministry will work with specialised agencies to support efforts to build a safety net tailored to on-site needs.