SOUTH KOREA PERSPECTIVE

The South Korean press covers the Zhongguancun Forum with characteristic emotional intensity and techno-nationalism. The Chosun Ilbo warns of the Chinese threat to Korea's semiconductor industry, a national economic pillar with Samsung and SK Hynix. China's announcement of targeting 10 trillion yuan for AI industries by 2030 is perceived as a direct assault on Korean dominance in memory chips.

The Hankyoreh offers a more balanced reading, noting that Sino-Korean tech cooperation remains mutually beneficial despite American pressure. The JoongAng Ilbo, Samsung-owned, pays particular attention to announcements on intelligent robots and low-altitude economy, sectors where Korean chaebol are investing heavily.

KBS features a dossier on the impact of 6G technologies presented at the forum for Korea's telecommunications industry. South Korea, aiming to deploy 6G before 2030, sees China as a direct rival in this race. Historical resentment toward Japan surfaces: Korean media note that Japanese semiconductor companies, unlike Korean ones, maintain a presence at the forum despite sanctions—proof that Tokyo is playing a double game.