In the week away, it became known that South Korean companies SK hynix and Samsung Electronics had been allowed to supply their Chinese businesses with all the necessary equipment of American origin over the next 12 months, without receiving export licences from the U.S. control agencies, and it was not clear from the South Korean Trade Minister's statements that the Korean side was satisfied with the situation.
In an interview with Bloomberg News, Korean Trade Minister An Doek Gin admitted that the relief granted to Samsung Electronics and SK hynix in terms of anti-Chinese sanctions was made by the American side, based on an understanding of the importance of Chinese enterprises in both companies to stabilize global supply chains. The efforts of Korean officials are now aimed at further improving the working conditions of these companies, taking into account the continued existence of American sanctions. South Korean authorities are, among other things, trying to instill with American counterparts the idea that the US export restrictions require the withdrawal of components that can be used exclusively in civilian products of the same type of vehicle, especially since there is still a shortage of components in this sector.
Korea's producers, according to the Minister, are now trying to assess the extent of the impact of anti-Chinese sanctions on their businesses. The Korean Minister seems to be referring to the high degree of dependence of Korean exports on China. The country of morning freshness covers up to 45% of the PRC's demand for the import of the memory chip, including locally produced products. South Korea as a whole accounts for up to 15.9% of the imports of technical products to China. Taiwan, from its 25.2%, is also in the forefront, but South Korea's interests should not be written off either.