The United States has confirmed and announced plans to expand export restrictions on AI semiconductors, which are essential for the development and operation of artificial intelligence (AI), to the global market. While full access to AI semiconductors will be allowed for allied nations, major adversaries will face restrictions in an effort to hinder their technological development.

According to industry sources and foreign media on the 14th, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced on the 13th (local time) that it has strengthened export controls on AI semiconductors and revised the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to block circumvention of exports. A 120-day public comment period has begun. The regulation is expected to be fully implemented during the second term of the Trump administration.

The EAR divides countries worldwide into three categories based on their access to advanced AI semiconductors. South Korea is classified as a Category 1 country, which includes 18 nations that are not subject to these regulations, so it is not expected to be significantly affected. Category 2 countries, which number around 120, can purchase AI semiconductors based on national quotas. Category 3 countries, including Russia, China, and North Korea, totaling 22 countries, must obtain approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce. These countries, which are under weapons embargoes, are subject to a presumption of denial when applying for licenses.

The U.S. government's implementation of the EAR measures is analyzed as a reflection of its independent national security perspective. By preventing adversarial nations, such as Russia and China, from accessing advanced AI semiconductor chips and models, the U.S. aims to block them from securing technological competitiveness.

South Korea, as a Category 1 country, is largely exempt from most of the regulations and is not expected to be significantly affected. However, even South Korean companies could be subject to regulations if their headquarters are located in a Category 3 country.

Although the expected impact on South Korean companies is minimal, they are closely monitoring the situation. Companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which operate semiconductor production facilities in China, are not immediately affected because their headquarters are in South Korea. However, since the EAR not only controls the export and import of AI semiconductors but also imposes restrictions on data center construction regardless of the category, and includes advanced AI models in the export controls, there is a possibility that they may still be impacted. Countries like South Korea, which are classified as Category 1, are exempt from these export controls, but Category 2 countries are subject to them.

Furthermore, with China being designated as a Category 3 country, there is concern that South Korea's potential market in China could face long-term impacts. Industry experts explain that this could result in a loss of some market demand, while also accelerating China's technological self-sufficiency.

An industry insider stated, "In the medium to long term, the country that will seek to secure the most AI semiconductors is inevitably China," adding, "There are concerns that by cornering China, we may actually accelerate its semiconductor development." Experts predict that China is likely to grow quickly enough this year to release HBM3.

Global IT companies are also strongly opposing this measure, arguing that it is excessive for a single government to be so heavily involved in export and import controls.

NVIDIA immediately responded with opposition, and Ned Finkel, the company's Vice President of Public Affairs, issued a statement. NVIDIA pointed out that "this measure risks wasting the technological advantages the U.S. has gained with difficulty by manipulating market outcomes and suppressing competition." They also criticized, saying, "The U.S. wins by fostering innovation and competition, and by sharing technology with the world, not by retreating behind the wall of excessive government intervention."

Ken Glynn, Vice President of Oracle, criticized the move on his blog, stating that it would be "the most destructive regulation ever recorded for the U.S. tech industry."

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