Core Insights - The technology gap between South Korea and China is widening, particularly in key strategic technologies, with South Korea losing its lead in secondary battery technology to China [1][2] - As of 2024, the technology gap between South Korea and the United States is 2.8 years, while the gap between China and the United States is 2.1 years, indicating a narrowing of the gap for South Korea by 0.4 years since 2022 [1] - South Korea's technology level is assessed at 82.8% compared to the United States, which is set at 100%, while China stands at 86.8% [1] Technology Assessment - In the evaluation of 136 core technologies, South Korea's gap with the United States in strategic technologies has decreased from 3 years in 2022 to 2.6 years in 2024, while China's gap has decreased by 0.8 years during the same period [2] - South Korea was previously leading in the secondary battery sector by 0.9 years in 2022, but by 2024, China has taken the lead with a 0.2-year advantage [2] - In the semiconductor and display sectors, South Korea is lagging behind the United States by 0.7 years and China by 0.8 years, with technology levels at 91.2% for South Korea and 91.5% for China [2]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the designation of new national core technologies in South Korea, including MLCC design, zinc smelting technology, and SAR payload manufacturing, which are deemed crucial for national security and economic significance [1][2]. Group 1: National Core Technologies - The newly designated technologies include: - MLCC design, process, and manufacturing technology with ultra-high capacitance density of over 21uF/mm³ [1]. - Low-temperature and low-pressure hematite process technology used in zinc smelting [1]. - SAR payload manufacturing and signal processing technology with a resolution of less than 1mm [1]. - The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy will conduct an administrative announcement from July 7 to July 27 regarding the revised announcement of national core technology designation [1]. Group 2: Changes in Existing Technologies - Modifications in the semiconductor sector include changing "LTE/LTE_adv/5G baseband modem design technology" to "LTE/LTE_adv/5G/5G_adv baseband modem design technology" [2]. - In the automotive and rail transport sectors, the designation for "core components and system design and manufacturing technology for autonomous vehicles" has been updated to include specific systems like cameras and radar [2]. - The information and communication sector will see four changes, including the update of "PA design technology for base station miniaturization and low power consumption" to "power amplifier design technology for wireless devices" [2].