Talent has long been the defining currency in the global semiconductor race. For decades, Chinese-born engineers with deep overseas experience drove China's rapid catch-up, fueling its chip ambitions through a steady flow of returning expertise

SK Hynix, a key supplier of HBM to Nvidia and other global clients, is reportedly scaling back its aggressive investment plans in thermo-compression bonders (TCB), equipment crucial for HBM production. Industry watchers say this shift could reshape the competitive landscape for suppliers such as Hanmi Semiconductor, even as the broader market for bonding equipment is set for strong growth in the coming years

Micron Technology is reportedly deepening its ties with the Trump administration to secure a stronger foothold in the global semiconductor market. According to South Korean media, this move could intensify competitive pressure on non-US rivals such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix

South Korea's chipmakers are raising red flags as China accelerates in equipment, materials, components, and AI semiconductors. Analysts warn Beijing is no longer just closing the gap but could soon pull ahead, threatening South Korea's long-standing leadership in the global chip race

The South Korean government is accelerating the development of its hydrogen economy, focusing on three key policy directions: demand market expansion, supply planning, and infrastructure support. The goal is to become a global leader in the hydrogen economy by 2030, capturing emerging market opportunities

Chinese wind turbine manufacturers are stepping up their presence in India's wind power sector, but government measures aimed at strengthening domestic players are set to raise costs and complicate operations

China's drive for technology self-sufficiency is transforming the communications supply chain. Shenzhen-based Lightstar Technology expects localization of advanced optical passive components to reach record levels within the next five to ten years, with imports of specialty materials giving way to domestically produced alternatives as Beijing's push for homegrown innovation accelerates

Samsung Electronics' new tri-fold smartphone has received Korea Certification (KC) approval, signaling that its launch is imminent. Building on the strong sales momentum of the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Flip6, Samsung aims to reinforce its leadership in foldable devices with this innovative tri-fold design

Japanese chip testing equipment giant Advantest has overtaken Tokyo Electron (TEL) in market capitalization for the first time in nearly two decades, signaling a shift in the balance of power within semiconductor equipment manufacturing. The rise underscores how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming demand across the supply chain, with back-end testing equipment emerging as a key beneficiary

On September 6th, 2025, LG Energy Solution (LGES) faced a sudden raid by US national security and immigration authorities at its battery production base in the US. The joint venture battery plant between Hyundai Motor and LGES (HL-GA) in Georgia was forced to halt construction. This incident not only disrupted progress at that facility but also sparked concerns among other South Korean companies and foreign businesses, with ripple effects spreading across the country

By September 2025, half-year earnings reports from 10 Chinese memory firms are in. Nine posted revenue growth, underscoring solid top-line momentum. Profitability, however, diverged sharply: companies could generate sales but struggled to convert them into lasting profits

The rising demand for AI servers and high-end GPUs has fueled growth in large-size 2.5D interposers, and Hanmi Semiconductor is moving quickly to capture this opportunity. At SEMICON Taiwan 2025, the South Korean company debuted its "2.5D big-die TC/FC bonder," designed for AI chips and capable of packaging interposers up to 120mm x 120mm—over six times larger than conventional semiconductor sizes

Hiwin Technologies is strengthening its presence across major global markets, including China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Europe, Israel, Russia, and the US. This broad expansion seeks to position the company closer to its key customers in the semiconductor and robotics sectors, particularly emphasizing China's emerging "low-altitude economy" as a strategic area

China is accelerating its drive for homegrown AI semiconductors. JPMorgan forecasts Huawei will ship 600,000–650,000 AI chips in 2025, while Cambricon Technologies is on track to supply 125,000–150,000 units

TSMC's plant in Kumamoto, Japan, is fueling deeper investment ties between Kyushu and Taiwan. On September 10, 15 semiconductor suppliers from Fukuoka and Kumamoto exhibited at SEMICON Taiwan, promoting technologies ranging from silicon wafer recycling to advanced resin materials