The Ministry of Science and ICT (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon) announced that it will newly pursue special on-site inspections and tailored support programs to strengthen safety management at semiconductor research labs, which are rapidly increasing in number at universities and research institutions. As semiconductor research has recently spread and related accidents have surged, the ministry aims to build an inter-agency safety net that spans everything from accident prevention to investigation.
 [코리안투데이] Inside a cleanroom where semiconductor research is conducted © 장형임 기자 |
Semiconductor research labs handle large quantities of strong acidic solutions and toxic gases, and experiments are conducted in cleanrooms sealed on all sides to prevent dust from leaking outside. For this reason, even a minor leak of hazardous substances can cause serious harm not only to researchers but also to nearby living spaces in an instant, making thorough prevention and management essential.
Related accidents are indeed on the rise. Accidents at semiconductor research labs nearly doubled in just two years, from 18 cases in 2023 to 32 cases in 2025. This trend coincides with the expansion of semiconductor research at universities across the country.
Accordingly, the Ministry of Science and ICT will launch special on-site inspections in which officials visit research sites directly to check safety management conditions and identify and improve accident risk factors. The special inspections will be piloted at three institutions through the end of the year, starting with Korea University of Technology and Education (KOREATECH) in late September, and from next year the scope will expand to 22 major universities and government-funded research institutes nationwide, allowing for closer management of how semiconductor research labs are operated.
Support measures to help researchers look after their own safety will also be put in place. The ministry will develop a self-inspection checklist containing key safety items that must be verified in the field and distribute it by the end of this year, and next year it will progressively roll out safety guidelines and educational content specialized for semiconductor research activities. The aim is to make it easier for researchers to learn and put safety rules into practice. In addition, universities and research institutions planning to build new semiconductor research labs will receive tailored consulting so that safety is prioritized from the design stage.
A cooperation framework with specialized institutions will also be established. The ministry plans to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Institute of Chemical Safety, a specialized agency for responding to chemical accidents, by the end of this year, and to jointly carry out inspections, accident investigations, and consulting for semiconductor research labs. It will also operate a regular safety consultative body to continuously share and improve on safety issues at semiconductor research labs, thereby forming an inter-agency safety net.
Such measures are seen as reflecting a direction that prioritizes researchers’ lives and safety over rushing research results. Creating an environment in which researchers can immerse themselves in experiments without anxiety about accidents is expected to serve as a foundation for the sustainability and qualitative growth of semiconductor research.
Lee Jun-bae, Director-General of the Future Talent Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, ‘Above all, it is important to create a safe environment where researchers can focus solely on semiconductor research without worrying about lab accidents,’ adding, ‘We will actively provide support so that we can build a tight-knit safety net tailored to the field in cooperation with specialized institutions.’
Leave a Reply