Semiconductor testing equipment is seen in a clean room at the National Nanofab Center in Daejeon.
South Korea is expected to attend a preliminary meeting of a U.S.-led group of major microchip manufacturers including Taiwan and Japan, according to the foreign minister of South Korea on Thursday.
South Korea wants to navigate the battle between the United States and China over semiconductor and microprocessing technology as a result of Seoul's participation in the preliminary meeting for the so-called Chip 4 group.
China is China's largest trade partner, while US technology, such as chip equipments, are key to making chips, and both countries have major customers.
In his comments to reporters, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin did not elaborate on what would be discussed other than to say that the country would attend the meeting.
According to a survey of 300 exporters in South Korea by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday, 53% said South Korea should join the U.S.-led group, 41% said it should hold off on joining for now, and 5% opposed South Korea joining.
The CHIPS Act was signed into law by U.S. President Joe Biden this month, which provides $52 billion in subsidies for chip manufacturing and research, as well as an estimated $24 billion investment tax credit for chip plants.
China's commerce ministry said on Thursday that it opposes the U.S. chips act and will take forceful measures to safeguard its legitimate rights when necessary.