The biggest problem at hand is the heavy dependence on memory chips. While memory products take up only twenty percent of total semiconductor market in the world, they make up almost 90 percent of its Korean counterpart.

That's why the lop-sided domestic industry is behind the U.S. and Japan when it comes to sources of patent technologies.

Industry experts and government officials in related ministries agreed corporations and the government should cooperate in nurturing the less developed yet higher-value sectors.

The sixteen parliamentary members of the High-Tech Industry Strategic Forum said they'll support the domestic industry by relaying manufacturers' messages to the government.

Industry experts said they need government-level support on protecting key technologies, conducting research and development, as well as reform on unnecessary regulations.

Arirang News