Geopolitics and the Silicon Shield by Jeong Jae-yong, Barun Books.
In an era marked by U.S.-China power rivalry and a transformative shift in artificial intelligence (AI), what is South Korea's survival strategy? The new book Geopolitics and the Silicon Shield finds answers in the 'K semiconductor' sector, represented by Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. The author emphasizes that semiconductors serve as a 'silicon shield' supporting South Korea's economy and security.
The book examines geopolitical conflicts that disrupt international order, including U.S.-China strategic competition, great power politics stemming from the Trump administration, the U.S.-Iran conflict, and the Russia-Ukraine war. It also addresses North Korea's nuclear and missile threats and the foreign policy of the Lee Jae-myung administration.
As competition among major powers expands into a struggle for dominance in advanced technologies, the competitiveness of the semiconductor industry is increasingly tied to national security. The book analyzes how the strategic value of semiconductors is growing, especially in the AI era. The author warns, "The moment the technological edge of K semiconductors collapses, serious cracks will appear in our 'K silicon shield,' which will mean the collapse of South Korea's security defenses." Protecting and nurturing the semiconductor industry is framed as a national security imperative.
Author Jeong Jae-yong has worked as a journalist at Yonhap News for 32 years, serving as political department head, head of the unification and diplomacy department, Hong Kong correspondent, and editorial writer. He holds a Ph.D. in North Korean studies and currently serves as a visiting professor at the Institute of East Asian Studies at Kyungnam University and as an international advisory committee member at Samsung Global Research.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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