On October 18, South Korean Finance Minister Lee Hyung-ik, while participating in the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Annual Meetings held in Bangkok over the weekend, shared his insights in an interview with CNBC. He projected that the current boom in the semiconductor industry is set to persist at least through to 2027. Minister Lee highlighted the ongoing significant gap between supply and demand in the semiconductor sector, noting that despite the continuous expansion of supply capabilities, the robust demand ensures that this growth phase will extend at least into the coming year. He also acknowledged that the fluctuations in chip stocks have contributed to increased volatility in the South Korean stock market, given the semiconductor industry's substantial share in the nation's economy. Nevertheless, he underscored the resilience and strength of the underlying fundamentals of the South Korean economy.