Practical Logic and Evolutionary Characteristics of South Korea’s Semiconductor Strategy (2018-2024) from the Perspective of Technonationalism

Against the backdrop of the technological and market competition between China and the United States from 2018 to 2024, South Korea’s semiconductor industry is facing a predicament. China, as a core market for South Korean semiconductors, plays an irreplaceable role in South Korea’s industrial development, while the United States serves as a core technology source and an alliance constraint for South Korean semiconductor technological advancement. So, its technologies are dependent on the United States, and its market is dependent on China. This study takes technonationalism as its core theoretical perspective and primarily employs qualitative methods to explore the practical logic and evolutionary characteristics of South Korean semiconductor strategy. Research has found that South Korea achieves a balance through both defensive and offensive paths. Firstly, it ensures industrial security and technological autonomy. Secondly, it leverages international collaboration and technological iteration to expand competitiveness. This study clarifies the balance logic between South Korean alliance obligations and economic interests, providing a reference for medium-sized technology countries in the context of the global industrial chain reconstruction.