Walking on eggshells: politicizing Sino-ROK semiconductor technological ties in the shadow of Sino-US rivalry

Abstract

The United States has tightened its technical embargo against China since the Sino-US rivalry began in the mid-2010s, especially in the semiconductor sector. It also has repercussions for China’s relations with US allies such as South Korea (or the Republic of Korea, ROK). As China’s technical growth is securitized, Sino-ROK collaboration in semiconductor technology becomes politicized, according to a securitization-politicization nexus derived from securitization theory. Under the pressure from Washington, even Korean semiconductor businesses may be forced to ‘choose sides’. However, Seoul’s pragmatic approach to Beijing prevents the politicization of Sino-ROK technological ties. While demanding security guarantees from Washington, Seoul is unwilling to enhance ties with the US at the price of those with China. Among three scenarios figured out in this paper, South Korea is likely to consolidate its ties with China in semiconductor industry in some form of ‘smart’ collaboration Ceteris paribus, and this is also in the interest of Beijing.