As the global supply chain undergoes restructuring and competition for technological dominance intensifies, South Korea's manufacturing sector stands at a pivotal juncture. The materials, components, and equipment (referred to as 'so-bu-jang') industry and the finished goods sector are intertwined, facing a collective crisis that requires a united response.
Over the past 20 years, South Korea's so-bu-jang industry has worked diligently, with both government and private sectors collaborating to break free from a dependency-driven ecosystem and achieve technological independence. The government laid the groundwork for research and development with the enactment of the Special Measures Act for the Promotion of Parts and Materials Companies in the early 2000s. Following Japan's export restrictions in 2019, the establishment of the So-bu-jang Competitiveness Committee and legislative amendments created a robust institutional defense. Major private enterprises have also introduced mass production evaluations for supplier products and invested in cooperative efforts to drive the localization of key materials, transforming the trade balance of so-bu-jang into a solid surplus.
Now, it is time to build new competitive advantages that can lead the global market, moving beyond the achievements of localization. While past policies focused on quantitative localization and price competitiveness, future survival hinges on securing the highest level of 'reliability' that global demand companies can adopt without hesitation. It is essential to clarify the essence of reliability. Reliability is not merely about meeting standard compliance on paper; it signifies a high-level suitability for use that performs its original function flawlessly without a single failure throughout its guaranteed lifespan in harsh real-world market conditions. No matter how innovative a new technology may be, if failures occur in the field, it cannot cross the threshold of commercialization, nor can it maintain global market dominance.
In today's landscape, where a single quality incident can lead to massive recalls and a significant decline in brand value, post-facto responses centered on improving manufacturing processes have clear limitations. The paradigm must shift to 'Design for Reliability,' which eliminates potential risks from the planning and design stages of products. For South Korea's manufacturing sector to become an irreplaceable core pillar of the global supply chain, it must focus all its efforts on a qualitative leap that establishes a world-class reliability design and verification system, going beyond mere localization.
The semiconductor industry exemplifies this need. Semiconductors for AI data centers and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) face challenges such as ultra-fine processes, high-density packaging, and severe heat issues, making long-term reliability a key competitive factor. For our so-bu-jang companies to enter the global supply chain, reliability data accumulated through accelerated life testing (ALT) and harsh environment validation from the design stage is essential. Localization that is not backed by data cannot guarantee sustainable competitiveness. Ultimately, reliability data serves as the technical language for entering the supply chain and the strongest evidence for gaining the trust of global customers.
In the automotive industry, reliability is a core differentiator for South Korean manufacturing. Recently, China has rapidly grown based on its vast domestic market and government support, but decades of accumulated quality data and field experience cannot be acquired in a short time. As the industry transitions to electric vehicles (EVs) and software-defined vehicles (SDVs), the reliability of automotive semiconductors, batteries, and various electronic components is directly linked to human safety. The ability to withstand harsh impacts, heat, and vibration over extended periods is a significant barrier to entry. The competition in automotive so-bu-jang has shifted from 'Can it be made?' to 'How long can it safely endure?'
The defense and shipbuilding industries are no exceptions. Systems operating in extreme environments such as polar regions, deserts, and deep seas demand even stricter reliability. If key components cannot ensure reliability and dependence on foreign supply chains persists, it could threaten not only industrial competitiveness but also national security. Therefore, securing independent reliability evaluation technologies and certification systems must be approached as a national strategic issue beyond mere industrial policy.
Ultimately, reliability is a common denominator of competitiveness that permeates the entire South Korean manufacturing sector, including semiconductors, automobiles, defense, shipbuilding, power and electronics, and physical AI-based robotics. Reliability cannot be achieved through short-term investments alone; it is the product of accumulated testing data, field experience, and specialized personnel over time. Now, both the government and industry must focus more on building reliability verification infrastructure and standard systems beyond just technological development. When South Korea masters the science of reliability, the so-bu-jang industry can firmly maintain its irreplaceable status at the top of the global supply chain, outpacing competing nations that rely on massive government subsidies and domestic markets.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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