According to the Korea Times report on the 11th, as shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz rise, the supply chain of key raw materials such as helium is beginning to fluctuate. Helium, a core industrial gas required for semiconductor manufacturing, is primarily extracted from liquefied natural gas (LNG). To avoid the expansion of risks, major South Korean chip companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have conducted comprehensive checks on their helium inventory status. Industry insiders in South Korea point out that finding alternative supplies of helium in the short term is not easy, and expensive U.S. natural gas may become an alternative option.
According to data from the Korea International Trade Association and the Korea Customs Service, South Korea's helium imports are projected to reach $226.9 million in 2025, with approximately 64% coming from Qatar. In the high-purity helium required for semiconductor manufacturing, the share from Qatar is nearly 80%. Following the escalation of regional security situations triggered by U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, Qatar Energy has suspended production in related industrial parks and stated that LNG production will not resume until the situation in the Middle East stabilizes.
Against this backdrop, companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have begun exploring options to expand helium recovery and recycling systems to reduce dependence on external supplies. The Kyunghyang Shinmun reported that these companies currently maintain several months' worth of inventory for key raw materials such as helium, while also promoting supply diversification through channels in North America, Australia, and Africa, thus reducing the likelihood of short-term production impacts. However, the South Korean industry remains concerned that if the conflict in the Middle East becomes prolonged, it could indirectly affect semiconductor demand and the stability of the supply chain through rising energy prices, increased logistics costs, and changes in the pace of artificial intelligence (AI) investments.
To fundamentally resolve supply risks, the South Korean semiconductor industry is discussing further diversification of LNG supply sources. The industry generally believes that the U.S. is one of the most realistic alternative sources. Currently, the U.S. is South Korea's second-largest helium import source, accounting for about 28%. However, transporting LNG from the U.S. Gulf of Mexico to Asia takes longer than from the Middle East to Asia, requiring more ships for the same volume of cargo. Due to a shortage of shipping capacity, the daily rental price for international LNG ships has increased several times since the end of February, and U.S. routes will incur higher costs. Russia is also viewed by some South Korean companies as a potential alternative source, as its helium resources are competitive in terms of supply volume and price, with some companies already including it in their supply assessment. However, due to factors such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, developing supply channels from Russia still faces practical obstacles.
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As shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz rise, South Korean chip giants such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have begun to check their helium inventories to cope with fluctuations in the supply chain of critical raw materials. Helium mainly comes from liquefied natural gas (LNG), with Qatar being a major supplier. Due to the tense situation in the Middle East, Qatar has suspended related production, and South Korean companies are exploring helium recycling and diversifying supply sources, particularly from the United States and Russia, to reduce reliance on external supplies. Although the production impact is minimal in the short term, the industry remains concerned that prolonged conflicts may indirectly affect semiconductor demand and the stability of the supply chain

- As shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz rise, the helium supply chain is experiencing disruptions, crucial for semiconductor manufacturing.  
- Major South Korean chip manufacturers, including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, are conducting thorough checks on helium inventories and exploring ways to enhance helium recycling to minimize reliance on external supplies.  
- While these companies currently maintain several months' worth of helium stock and are diversifying supply sources, prolonged Middle East conflicts could indirectly impact semiconductor demand and supply chain stability through increased energy prices and logistical costs.

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Korean media: Supply chain fluctuations begin to emerge, South Korean chip giants urgently check helium gas inventory