6 vs 44 Reversal: Why Korea Lost to China in 50 Strategic Technologies
According to the 2024 Ministry of Science and ICT technology assessment results, Korea leads China in only 6 out of 50 national strategic technologies. Korea's key industries including secondary batteries, semiconductors, and displays have been overtaken by China, with a 2.8-year gap behind the US and 0.7-year gap behind China.
One-Line Hook
"6 out of 50." The 2024 national strategic technology assessment results announced by the Ministry of Science and ICT compressed Korea's current state of technological competitiveness into a single sentence. Korea, which was ranked first globally in secondary batteries, semiconductors, and displays in 2022, has been completely overtaken by China in 2024.
TL;DR
- Korea leads China in only 6 out of 50 national strategic technologies (Ministry of Science and ICT announcement, February 23, 2026)
- Secondary batteries, semiconductors, displays, next-generation nuclear power, and advanced biotechnology all overtaken by China
- Technology gap with US: 2.8 years, gap with China: 0.7 years (Korea lagging behind)
- AI technology level: US 100%, China 93%, EU 86.3%, Korea 80.6%, Japan 75.8%
- In 136 core science and technology assessments, Korea ranks last among US, EU, China, and Japan
Facts: What Happened
Government Official Assessment Reveals Shocking Results
On February 23, 2026, the Ministry of Science and ICT submitted the "2024 Technology Level Assessment Results" to the National Science and Technology Advisory Council.[1] This assessment is conducted every two years, and this time targeted 136 core science and technology fields across 11 sectors and 50 national strategic technologies.
The results were shocking:
- Out of 50 national strategic technologies, Korea leads China in only 6 fields
- Secondary batteries, which ranked first in 2022, have been overtaken by China
- Semiconductors and displays also reversed by China
- Also fell behind in next-generation nuclear power and advanced biotechnology fields, which were previously tied
Technology Gap in Numbers
Korea's Technology Level vs. US[2]
- 2024: 82.8% (with US at 100%)
- 2022: 81.5%
- Gap: 2.8 years (narrowed from 3.2 years in 2022 by 0.4 years)
Korea's Technology Level vs. China
- 2024: Korea 82.8% vs China 86.8%
- Korea is 0.7 years behind China
- 2022: 0.2 years behind → 2024: 0.7 years, gap widened by 0.5 years
136 Core Science and Technology Assessment Results
- 1st: United States
- 2nd: EU
- 3rd: China
- 4th: Japan
- 5th: Korea (last place)
Factors: Why This Happened
1. China's Overwhelming Investment and Industrialization Speed
The reversal in secondary batteries is symbolic. Global Times analyzed that "China has made rapid progress in all aspects including basic research, innovation capacity, and industrialization speed."[3] China has expanded production capacity across the board, from lithium-ion batteries to lead-acid batteries for electric vehicles.
In the semiconductor field, while Korea still maintains an advantage in memory chips, China is rapidly narrowing the gap in system semiconductor (especially AI chip) design and production infrastructure.[4]
2. Korea's Deepening Avoidance of STEM Fields
Korea JoongAng Daily pointed out in an editorial that "the fundamental cause of the widening technology gap is the weakening of the science talent base."[1]
- 144 students gave up admission to semiconductor departments at Yonsei and Korea Universities (2026, 40% increase from previous year)
- Choosing medical school despite guaranteed employment at Samsung and SK Hynix
- A structure where top-tier talent avoids technology fields
3. Limitations of Single-Point Breakthrough Strategy
Global Times analyzed that "Korea's development model is biased toward single-point breakthrough and export-centered strategy, exposing vulnerabilities amid slowing globalization and industrial expansion by other countries."[3]
4. Technology Leaks Are Also Severe
Out of 179 technology leak incidents in Korea in 2025, 18 out of 33 overseas transfer attempts (54.5%) were linked to China.[5] Semiconductor and battery technologies were concentrated targets.
Context/Background: A Deeper Story
2022: The Turning Point
In the 2022 technology level assessment, Korea ranked first in the world in three major fields: secondary batteries, semiconductors, and displays. However, that same year, Korea began to be overtaken by China for the first time. The gap at that time was only 0.2 years, but by 2024 it had widened to 0.7 years—more than tripling.
AI Technology: Korea Ranks 5th
In AI field technology level assessment, Korea ranked 5th with 80.6%:[6]
- United States: 100%
- China: 93%
- EU: 86.3%
- Japan: 75.8%
- Korea: 80.6%
The gap with China is 12.4 percentage points.
Chosun Ilbo Editorial: "Must Change Science-Dismissive Culture"
Chosun Ilbo urged in an editorial that "the gap in 50 strategic technologies has nearly doubled from 4.8 percentage points two years ago" and "we must change the culture that dismisses science."[7]
30% Export Dependence, What If Even Semiconductors Falter
Maeil Business diagnosed that "even the semiconductor industry, which accounts for 30% of Korea's exports, has been elevated to a 'competitive' level with China," and "it's now time for Korea to follow China."[8]
Outlook: How Long Will This Last
By 2030, Even Steel Will Be Overtaken
According to Nation Thailand reports, Korean companies expect China to overtake Korea in all major export sectors by 2030.[9] Among the three fields where Korea currently maintains an advantage over the US (steel, shipbuilding, secondary batteries), even steel is expected to be reversed by 2030.
Memory Semiconductors: 5-Year Gap Remains
Professor Sim Dae-yong of Dong-A University analyzed in an interview with Korea Herald that "in advanced memory fields such as DRAM, China is still more than 5 years behind" and "China is more likely to fall further behind than catch up."[10] However, this applies only to memory.
Lee Jae-myung Government's Response: Restoring Korea-China Cooperation
Korea Herald pointed out that "urgent restructuring of Korea-China cooperation methods considering changes in the industrial environment is necessary, which is intertwined with President Lee Jae-myung's push to restore Korea-China relations."[4]
Checklist: What to Verify Now
Reference Links
- Korea JoongAng Daily — Korea falls behind China in technology as science talent base weakens
- Financial News Korea — The Widening Technology Gap Between South Korea and China
- Chosun Ilbo — South Korea Leads in Only Six Technologies Against China
- Global Times — Closer China-South Korea cooperation props up regional innovation ecosystem
- The Hankyoreh — Korea no longer leads China in semiconductor industry, state think tank assesses
- Chosun Ilbo Editorial — South Korea Falls Behind in Future Semiconductor Tech
- Korea Herald — 'The gap is more than five years': Why China still trails in memory
- AzerNews — China tied to more than half of Korea's tech leaks last year
- Maeil Business — It is time for Korea to follow China
- Nation Thailand — Korean firms see China overtaking in all major export sectors by 2030
Image Source
This post is based on the official Ministry of Science and ICT report and multiple media reports, but a representative image could not be attached due to restricted access to official government materials and copyright protection of technology assessment data. The Ministry of Science and ICT's "2024 Technology Level Assessment" report is classified as non-public, and for related visualization materials, please contact the Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP).