September 12, 2025 /SemiMedia/ — South Korea has set a target to raise its self-sufficiency in silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductors to 20% by 2030, up from around 10% today, as part of efforts to strengthen its advanced technology base for electric vehicles, data centers and renewable energy.

At a meeting held in Seoul on Sept. 10, the Ministry of Economy and Finance said SiC power semiconductors were designated as a national strategic priority. The government will support R&D across the supply chain, from materials and devices to modules, while also investing in workforce training to secure long-term competitiveness.

SiC chips are increasingly seen as essential for next-generation industries thanks to their higher efficiency and reliability. Market forecasts project global demand to grow from $3.4 billion in 2024 to $10.3 billion by 2030, at an annual growth rate of about 20%.

In addition to SiC, the government will expand support for graphene technology. Despite significant research investment and early prototypes in applications such as display cooling, commercialization remains limited. Authorities plan to encourage collaboration between suppliers and manufacturers to accelerate graphene adoption.