Biden's 1st destination in Korea likely to be Samsung plant

An aerial view of Samsung Electronics' plant in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics

By Nam Hyun-woo

U.S. President Joe Biden's first destination in his scheduled three-day visit to Korea this weekend will likely be Samsung Electronics' semiconductor plant in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, according to Seoul's presidential office, Wednesday.

The move is seen as Biden's intention to show off to China America's industrial ties with chip-making powerhouse Korea, amid Washington's efforts to contain Beijing's presence in semiconductor and other advanced industries.

The presidential office said the U.S. leader will arrive in Korea on Friday and depart for Japan on Sunday. It was reported that Biden plans to visit the Samsung plant upon his arrival, and President Yoon Suk-yeol and Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon will likely accompany him. Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong is expected to welcome them at the plant.

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"Due to security reasons, I cannot tell you the tentative schedule and time, but if such an event takes place, Yoon will likely accompany Biden and deliver his speech," said Kim Tae-hyo, the first deputy director of the Office of National Security.

Samsung's Pyeongtaek plant is one of the largest manufacturing facilities for memory chips and other foundry products, sitting on a 2.89 million square meter piece of land. Former U.S. President Donald Trump was reported to have expressed his astonishment over the massive size of the plant when he visited Korea in 2017.

U.S. President Joe Biden holds up a silicon wafer in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, April 12, during the virtual CEO Summit on Semiconductor and Supply Chain Resilience. AP-Yonhap

This is not the first time Biden has shown interest in Samsung's chip business. Last year, the U.S. leader invited Samsung Electronics and other global chipmakers to the Virtual CEO Summit on Semiconductor and Supply Chain Resilience and said, "Our competitiveness depends on where you invest and how you invest."

Biden's expected visit to the Samsung plant comes amid growing uncertainties in the semiconductor supply chain, which have resulted in difficulties faced by key U.S. industries such as automobiles and info-tech. Since Seoul is also heavily reliant on the U.S. in importing equipment for making chips, the visit will likely be a moment symbolizing stronger ties between the two sides in the semiconductor industry.

"About three or four Korean companies supply nearly 70 percent of semiconductors for the global market," Kim said. "The U.S.' strength lies in designing semiconductors, while Samsung and other Korean companies have the best technologies in the foundry business. The two leaders are aware of the fact that if each of them wants something from the other, their cooperation will expand the market and create jobs."

Kim added that other possible economic agendas in the Yoon-Biden meeting are expected to be batteries, eco-friendly technologies, artificial intelligence and space development.

Along with the visit to the Samsung plant, Biden is scheduled to meet the heads of Korea's top 10 conglomerates at an official dinner, Kim said. The tycoons who are expected to attend the dinner include Samsung chief Lee, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo and the heads of Korea's top business lobby groups.

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