▲ A special bill aimed at strengthening the semiconductor industry is approved during a plenary session of the National Assembly in Seoul on Jan. 29, 2026. (Yonhap)

parliament-semiconductor bill

Nat'l Assembly passes special bill on supporting semiconductor industry

By Kim Eun-jung

SEOUL, Jan. 29 (Yonhap) -- The National Assembly on Thursday passed a special bill aimed at expanding support for the semiconductor industry as South Korea seeks to bolster the global competitiveness of one of its key export sectors.

The bill was approved during a plenary session, laying the legal groundwork for broad government support for semiconductor clusters and related infrastructure.

It includes provisions for designating semiconductor clusters and establishing a legal basis for financial assistance.

Once implemented, it would lower regulations for the construction and expansion of infrastructure, such as power supply, water resources and road networks, and provide a basis for the central and local governments to offer tax incentives to companies.

An exception to the 52-hour workweek, a key point of contention between the ruling and opposition parties, was not included in the bill, despite industry calls to exempt semiconductor researchers from the limit when extended hours are needed.

The bill's passage comes as major chipmakers Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix Inc. posted record earnings last year, buoyed by strong demand for chips that power artificial intelligence.

SK hynix is building new chip production lines in Yongin, about 50 kilometers south of Seoul, and Samsung Electronics also plans to construct new fabrication lines in the same area, moves that are expected to turn Yongin into the nation's major semiconductor cluster.

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