Korea cannot match the United States on foundational model innovation or China on manufacturing scale. But it holds a unique combination of strengths that neither possesses together: semiconductor fabrication, precision manufacturing, and world-class industrial robotics deployment. 

Korea’s Next Frontier: Competing Through Physical AI

Korea's Next Frontier: Competing Through Physical AI

The Bangkok Post cited ITIF's report on China's ability to innovate in semiconductors. 

What’s the State of AI Today?

What's the State of AI Today?

South Korea must reduce its reliance on China for both semiconductor exports and raw materials by strengthening alliances with the United States and its partners, aligning with export controls, and building a more secure, diversified supply chain to safeguard its long-term competitiveness in the global chip race.

South Korea Should Choose Friends Over Foes for Semiconductor Production

Korea needs stronger domestic policies to shore up its advanced industries, such as restoring a robust investment tax credit and expanding its weak R&D tax credit. But without working with allies, Korea will not win versus China.

How Not to Lose Korea’s Advanced Industries

How Not to Lose Korea's Advanced Industries

Even if Korea implements additional advanced technology policies, it will be increasingly difficult for Korean firms in advanced industries, like electronics, semiconductors, machinery, and autos, to compete against Chinese firms that are backed to the hilt by the Chinese government, writes Rob Atkinson in The Korea Times.

Time for Korea-US Cooperation to Limit China’s Advanced Tech Gains

Time for Korea-US Cooperation to Limit China's Advanced Tech Gains

The Korea Times referenced ITIF in an article discussing global competition in semiconductor innovation and the challenges of maintaining technological leadership.

Korea Pushes for Leadership in AI Amid Global Competition

Korea has a choice. It can show the world how to integrate strategy, promotion, and regulation in a way that builds both trust and competitiveness. Or it can serve as a cautionary tale of how regulatory overreach strangles innovation.

Korea's Basic AI Act Risks Stalling the Engine It Seeks to Build

In the AI economy, competitive advantage will depend less on memorizing information and more on the ability to question intelligent systems, identify errors, and refine outputs. Korea’s education system should adapt to prepare students for workplaces where managing AI-generated mistakes is more valuable than speed of recall.

Memorization Won’t Prepare Students for the Age of Agentic AI

Memorization Won't Prepare Students for the Age of Agentic AI

For many years Korea had the honor of leading the world in industrial robot adoption. But that lead is now in doubt, as other nations, especially China, but also Japan and the United States, saw much faster increases in robot adoption in 2021, according to the International Federation of Robotics.

What China’s HBM Catch-Up Should Teach Korea

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Korea’s Next Frontier: Competing Through Physical AI

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