South Korea is losing 11 key technological advantages over China in two years, and it can't sit still anymore!
Last week, an internal assessment report in South Korea triggered public anxiety: between 2022 and 2024, China further widened the gap in 136 core technologies across 11 key areas that South Korea focused on. Among the 50 national strategic technologies, South Korea's only leading technology - secondary battery technology - was overtaken by China, and South Korea lost 11 technological advantages over China within two years. According to the report, with American technology as 100%, China's overall technology reached 86.8%, surpassing Japan and leading South Korea's 82.8% by 0.7 years. The gap in fields such as semiconductors and aerospace is particularly obvious. Korean media has been reporting intensively, stating that South Korea's technological advantages are now in imminent danger, while China's R&D investment exceeds 3.9 trillion yuan, with a R&D intensity exceeding the OECD average, showing a continuous strong momentum of catching up.
[Smart] The reversal of the technological landscape between China and South Korea is not accidental, but a natural result of the development paths of the two countries. Looking back over decades, South Korea rose through "technological catch-up," once securing a foothold with monopolistic advantages in semiconductors and secondary batteries. However, it now faces anxiety, and the root cause lies in being stuck in its own ways and taking the wrong direction. The global competition for technology is no longer a zero-sum game. China has achieved an upset through continuous investment, with 3.9 trillion yuan in R&D investment and a 2.8% R&D intensity, which behind it is long-term planning rather than short-term gains. In contrast, South Korea is bound by the United States, trying to contain China, while facing a brain drain in science and engineering - 144 top students gave up Samsung's designated majors to switch to medical schools, shaking the foundation of talent.
History has already proven that building a car in isolation has no way out. Japan once tried to monopolize semiconductors and failed, and now South Korea is repeating the same mistake. Instead of worrying and squandering energy, it's better to break out of the confrontation mindset and face China's rise. China-South Korea cooperation is not about "following," but mutual benefit. After all, in the global technology chain, there are no eternal masters, only those who move forward in line with the trend.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1858183846609923/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.