Semiconductor Special Act New National Infrastructure.

South Korea has officially passed the Semiconductor Special Act, legally reclassifying the chip industry from a simple industrial segment to strategic national infrastructure. The act streamlines the coordination of critical resources such as electricity, water, and administrative approvals to accelerate the expansion of massive semiconductor clusters. While the act provides a legal mandate for state support, the dedicated KRW 2 trillion special account is slated to begin operation in 2027. For 2026, support will be managed through general ministry accounts to maintain momentum in the race for AI-chip leadership. Notably, the final legislation did not include a proposed exemption for R&D personnel from the 52-hour workweek, highlighting ongoing domestic debates over labor flexibility in the tech sector.

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