BUSAN — Marking its fifth consecutive year in the city, the Korean International Semiconductor Conference & Exhibition on Manufacturing Technology (KISM) 2026 officially kicked off its five-day run today at the Paradise Hotel Busan in Haeundae-gu. Running through November 13, the premier global event has drawn approximately 800 specialists from 15 countries and regions to share cutting-edge insights across more than 300 research presentations.

Hosted by the Korean Society of Semiconductor & Display Technology (KSSDT), this year’s conference centers around the theme, "Beyond Scaling: Smart Manufacturing for AI Era." The gathering focuses on addressing the evolving manufacturing demands driven by artificial intelligence, spanning advanced processing, material science, components, and equipment.

Key Highlights and High-Profile Keynotes

The opening ceremony took place this morning in the Grand Ballroom of the Paradise Hotel, featuring prominent figures from government, academia, and industry, including Busan's Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs Oh Seok-keun, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy officials, and university leadership from Pusan National University and Hanyang University.

The program features comprehensive tutorials, technical sessions, poster and oral presentations, industrial exhibitions, and networking events designed to foster international academic-industrial collaboration.

A major highlight of the conference is its keynote speaker lineup featuring industry giants:

Samsung Electronics (Dr. Ji-hye Shim): Discussing challenges and material solutions for advanced packaging in the AI era.
Tokyo Electron (Dr. Motoyuki Sato): Exploring process technology and material innovations tailored for future memory architectures.
SK Hynix (Vice President Gyu-chan Shim): Presenting the strategic transition from automation to true autonomy via AI-driven smart manufacturing.

Empowering Local Power Semiconductor Sectors

A standout feature of KISM 2026 is the establishment of a dedicated technical division focusing on power semiconductor devices and manufacturing processes, chaired by Professor Oh Gyun-seok of Pusan National University.

Busan City officials noted that this specialized track is designed to link local academic and research institutions with international semiconductor players. By integrating regional power semiconductor initiatives into the global dialogue, the city aims to substantially boost local R&D capabilities and cement cooperative networks.

City representatives emphasized that KISM 2026 serves as a vital bridge connecting regional industrial ecosystems with world-class technological trends, paving the way for tangible research and commercial partnerships in South Korea's southeastern hub.

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