Korea-China Memory Gap Exceeds 5 Years, Expert Warns

China’s memory chip ambitions face a steeper climb than commonly believed. According to HBM expert Shim Dae-yong, the technology gap between Chinese memory makers and South Korean giants Samsung and SK hynix exceeds five years—and could widen further due to restricted access to crucial EUV lithography equipment.

The Korea-China Memory Technology Gap

EUV: The Insurmountable Barrier

Shim, a 26-year SK hynix veteran who led core DRAM technology and early HBM development, identifies extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography as the primary bottleneck. While multi-patterning can extend legacy tools through 1a node (as Micron demonstrated), EUV becomes essential from 1b node onward in 10nm-class DRAM production.

Chinese manufacturers currently lack access to ASML’s EUV systems due to export restrictions, forcing them to rely on older deep ultraviolet (DUV) technology. This fundamental constraint creates a structural ceiling on their advancement in cutting-edge DRAM manufacturing.

3D Stacking: Shifting the Bottleneck

Without EUV access, China’s only viable path forward involves advanced 3D stacking technologies. However, Shim notes this approach merely transfers challenges to other critical areas—particularly materials and advanced packaging.

Key HBM materials including underfill and epoxy molding compounds remain controlled by Japanese suppliers like Resonac and Namics. Even Samsung and SK hynix have invested years localizing these inputs, highlighting the time required to develop alternative supply chains.

The Co-Development Advantage

Beyond hardware constraints, Chinese memory makers lack decades of collaborative experience that Korean firms built with Microsoft, Google, Apple, and NVIDIA. These partnerships involve co-developing and validating memory products across new system architectures—a process that cannot be replicated quickly.

This ecosystem advantage provides Korean manufacturers with early insights into future requirements, enabling proactive development aligned with next-generation computing needs.

China’s Memory Sector Growth

Despite these challenges, China’s domestic memory sector shows momentum. Recent reports indicate 13 A-share memory firms projected triple-digit profit growth in 2025, suggesting progress in lower-tier segments while the technology frontier remains distant.

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