Korean media reported that China is actively recruiting top Korean semiconductor experts to accelerate technological development and bypass US sanctions in the high-tech sector. Two prominent Korean academics, Young Hee Lee and Kimyeong Lee, both designated as “National Scholars” by the Korean government, have already accepted teaching positions at Chinese universities.
According to the Korea JoongAng Daily, invitations from Chinese institutions have become a hot topic among Korean engineering professors, particularly those specializing in electrical engineering, materials science, and design fields with semiconductor-related patents.
Young Hee Lee, a carbon nanotube (CNT) expert and former director of Korea’s Institute for Basic Science (IBS) Nano Structure Physics Research Team, now teaches at Hubei University of Technology’s Semiconductor and Quantum Research Institute. The university established a Low-Dimensional Quantum Materials Research Institute under his leadership, offering attractive packages including advanced research equipment, annual salaries of 260,000 yuan (US$35,755), plus housing and startup funds.
Meanwhile, theoretical physicist Kimyeong Lee, former vice president of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), joined Beijing’s Institute for Advanced Study in Mathematics after retiring in 2024.
Both scholars were unable to find suitable positions in Korea after retirement. Meanwhile, Chinese universities have been aggressively recruiting global talent to advance the nation’s “strong R&D country” strategy. One Seoul engineering professor described China’s recruitment offers as “package deals like [you’d find at] travel agencies,” noting that the deals become even more attractive if scholars bring their entire laboratories.
Industry experts warn that China’s research development already threatens Korea’s memory chip technology, with Chinese companies like Yangtze Memory Technologies pioneering packaging techniques in mass production with numerous doctoral-level employees enabling remarkably rapid development.
Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), April 28, 2025https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202504280183.aspx