KISTEP held the 159th KISTEP Wednesday Forum on June 14 under the theme of 'Current status of Korean display industry and future strategies'.

▲ Opening remarks by Byoung-Ho Son, Vice President of KISTEP

In the opening remarks, Dr. Byoung-Ho Son said, "Korea has designated the display industry as one of the 12 national strategic technologies and is intensively promoting it. Korea used to be a leading country in the field, but it is urgent to find countermeasures due to rapid changes in the technology market recently. As this is a timely topic, I hope that we could share good opinions here."

▲ Presentation by Kook Chul Moon, Professor at Gachon University

In the presentation, Prof. Kook Chul Moon analyzed the current state of the industry in Korea and suggested directions of the next-generation display industry.

He said that Korea is serving as a hub for global display companies. "In the future, the display industry will inevitably develop with an increase in the amount of information produced and continuous changes in the form of information. The key is the direction of foresight and strategies."

According to him, Korea has succeeded in internalizing the ecosystem by establishing an OLED display ecosystem, but China has overtaken our sales volume and global demand is shrinking. "Among various factors, China Risk is the biggest. We need a new perspective and strategic approach to the Chinese market."

For the next-generation display industry, Prof. Moon suggested ▲Exit strategies for LCD ▲Preparing standards for equipment industry among domestic companies ▲Promoting basic materials ▲Preparing strategies to China ▲Preparing First-Mover strategies and ▲Reasonable purchasing strategies for the technology. "Korean government needs to support the display industry as a strategic industry," he emphasized.

In the panel discussion presided over by Youngsoo Ryu (Director General of the Office of R&D Budget and Feasibility Analysis, KISTEP), participants including Chiwoo Kim (Vice Chairman of APS Research), Jang-Kun Song (Professor of the School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University), Heesung Moon (Director General of the National Nanotechnology Policy Center, KIMS) and Kee Sun Bae (Expert Advisor of the Industry Policy Team, KDIA) had an in-depth discussion.

▲ Chiwoo Kim, Vice Chairman of APS Research

Dr. Chiwoo Kim said, "It is necessary to continuously think about the next-generation displays that will lead the future."

▲ Jang-Kun Song, Professor of the School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University

Prof. Jang-Kun Song said, "The current crisis can be overcome only when the entire domestic ecosystem cooperates, and the Korean government should intervene and help coordinate among companies. To support the ecosystem, the government should manage the display industry as a key industry, strengthen technological capabilities, and secure R&D personnel by opening special-purpose departments."

▲ Heesung Moon, Director General of the National Nanotechnology Policy Center, KIMS

Dr. Moon said, "It is important for Korea to carry out B2B business, but we must become a strong country that creates its own categories. We need to focus on the materials-parts-equipment again."

▲ Kee Sun Bae, Expert Advisor of the Industry Policy Team, KDIA

Mr. Kee Sun Bae said, "Continuous investment in panel companies is important. In addition, joint R&D among panel companies and materials-parts-equipment companies should be supported."