Bloomberg: South Korean tech companies will provide semiconductor data to the United States

According to the latest report from Bloomberg, South Korea said that South Korean technology companies will provide some semiconductor data to the United States after the U.S. Department of Commerce asked companies in the supply chain to provide chip inventory and sales information.

South Korea's Finance Ministry said in a statement on Sunday that South Korean companies are preparing to "voluntarily submit" relevant information, adding that South Korean tech giants have been negotiating with the United States on the scope of the submitted data.

The U.S. Commerce Department in September asked companies in the semiconductor supply chain to fill out questionnaires by Nov. 8 to obtain information about the ongoing chip shortage. While the request is voluntary, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo warned industry representatives that if they don't respond, the White House could invoke the Defense Production Act or other tools to force their hand.

In the questionnaire, chipmakers were asked to comment on inventory, backlogs, delivery times, procurement practices and what they are doing to increase production. The Commerce Department also requested information on the main customers for each product.

The U.S. request has sparked domestic controversy in South Korea, with critics denouncing the United States for demanding trade secrets, following local reports that South Korean tech companies would only "partially comply" with the information requests.

South Korea's Finance Ministry said on Sunday that its government will consolidate its semiconductor supply chain partnership with the United States "through continued high-level communication."