South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT will share research and development results in the semiconductor sector in Busan and discuss ways to strengthen industry-academia-research cooperation.

The ministry said on Saturday it will hold the 2026 Semiconductor Programme Results Exchange Meeting from July 13 to 14 at the Paradise Hotel in Busan.

The event, now in its third year since it first launched in 2024, is a forum to share achievements in semiconductor R&D, workforce training and international cooperation supported by the ministry. About 800 people will attend, including principal investigators for 125 projects and officials from major semiconductor-related companies and institutions.

The ministry said demand for semiconductors is surging as AI spreads across industries, requiring high-performance computing and large-scale data processing. It said semiconductors have grown in importance as a national strategic technology, and securing next-generation core technologies and stable supply capabilities has emerged as a key factor that will determine future industrial competitiveness. The ministry has developed the exchange meeting into a semiconductor R&D cooperation platform so government-backed research results can lead to collaboration among projects and meet industrial demand.

On the first day, So-young Jung (정소영), head of Nvidia Korea, will deliver a keynote speech titled "Next Wave of New Industrial Revolution by AI Factory". Jung will look at changes AI factories, seen as next-generation computing infrastructure, will bring to the industrial ecosystem. Jung will also present the importance of securing core semiconductor technologies and directions for their development to implement them.

In specialist sessions, principal investigators will share research outcomes and future plans by field, including semiconductor design and infrastructure, advanced packaging, nanomaterials and compound semiconductors.

In line with growing demand for advanced packaging driven by the spread of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and intensifying competition in ultrafine semiconductor process technology, sessions on new devices and advanced packaging will be run in a consulting format with invited experts. A related Semiconductor Results Exhibition will introduce 13 major research outcomes. The ministry will also award citations from the deputy prime minister and minister of science and ICT to individuals and organisations recognised for contributing to R&D progress at semiconductor technology development sites.

Lee Kang-woo (이강우), director of the Fundamental Technology Division at the ministry, said, "As competition for leadership in semiconductor technology intensifies globally, each and every research project is a core asset that will determine our country's future." He added, "Please bring together capabilities of researchers and industry so research outcomes can lead to new technologies that lead the global market."