Powering the Future: South Korea, Semiconductors, and the Geopolitics of Technology
On Friday, September 19, 2025, from 12:00 to 1:30 pm, Perry World House at the University of Pennsylvania will host a significant event titled "Powering the Future: South Korea, Semiconductors, and the Geopolitics of Technology." This timely discussion addresses the pivotal role of the semiconductor industry in global economic and security landscapes, with a particular focus on South Korea’s strategic position within this arena.
The semiconductor sector has emerged as a critical battlefield in international competition, influencing economic security, supply chain resilience, and broader geopolitical strategy. South Korea, renowned for housing some of the world’s most advanced chip manufacturers, has secured its place as a manufacturing powerhouse, especially in memory chips and cutting-edge fabrication technologies. This vital position not only underscores Seoul’s industrial prowess but also situates it at the intersection of great power rivalry and evolving global supply chains.
As semiconductors transition from being the invisible foundation of consumer electronics to a central component of national security and industrial policy, South Korea’s experience provides essential insights. The event aims to explore how governments can foster innovation, maintain competitiveness, and skillfully manage the geopolitical complexities that accompany technological advances. Key questions to be tackled include strategies for democracies to secure supply chains without exacerbating global fragmentation, balancing national industrial policies with international cooperation, and the influential role middle powers like South Korea can play by leveraging their manufacturing strengths and technological expertise in shaping future frameworks of technological governance.
The featured speaker is Young-sun Park, an esteemed South Korean policymaker, journalist, and legislator. Ms. Park held the position of Minister of SMEs and Startups from 2019 to 2021, driving digital transformation initiatives for small businesses. During her four terms in the National Assembly, she notably became the first female Floor Leader and Chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, championing prosecutorial reform as well as budget, planning, and media reform. Prior to her political career, she earned national acclaim as an investigative anchor at Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC). Ms. Park’s recent academic affiliations include serving as a Senior Research Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center and as a Non-Resident Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She also contributes to the World Economic Forum’s Advanced Manufacturing and Production initiative as a Board Member. Her educational background encompasses degrees from Kyung Hee University and Sogang University.
Moderating the event will be Benjamin L. Schmitt, a Senior Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania with a unique joint appointment between the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy. Mr. Schmitt is also a Senior Fellow at Perry World House. His expertise spans national security, energy policy, critical infrastructure protection, export controls, and sanctions, with a geographical focus on the transatlantic community and the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, he conducts research related to emerging space security challenges. Schmitt is involved in various affiliated research institutes, including the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and the Harvard-Ukrainian Research Institute, and holds memberships in prominent councils such as the Council on Foreign Relations. He also co-founded the Duke Space Diplomacy Lab and serves as a senior fellow for Democratic Resilience at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA). Dr. Schmitt holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in experimental physics from the University of Pennsylvania.
The event will be introduced by the Wharton Club of Korea and take place at 3803 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Interested attendees are encouraged to register in advance. For more information or inquiries, contact Perry World House at worldhouse@pwh.upenn.edu or call 215-573-5730. This event promises to offer valuable perspectives on the complex intersection of technology innovation, industrial policy, and geopolitics, showcasing South Korea’s critical role in powering the future of the semiconductor industry within an increasingly contested global environment.
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