World in Crisis Due to War, This Country Claims to Be Safe

The war involving Iran has directly impacted gas operations in Qatar, the world’s largest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG). As a result, prices of helium—a by-product of natural gas—have sharply increased, raising concerns over disruptions to the global chip supply chain. Amid these worries, South Korea has stated that its situation remains relatively safe. This nation, which serves as the base for global chip giants such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, claims to have sufficient helium reserves until mid-year. The South Korean government has assured that supplies are still under control and that no potential disruptions are foreseen in the near term. Moreover, the industry is said to have secured stocks to meet needs for the next 4-6 months. Nevertheless, anticipatory measures are being taken. Chip companies are now willing to pay higher prices to lock in supplies, particularly from the United States as the primary producer. “Regardless of the price, securing stocks at present is the top priority,” a government source stated, quoted from Reuters on Wednesday (1/3/2026). On the other hand, global pressures have not eased. Qatar, which accounts for nearly a third of the world’s helium supply, has been forced to suspend part of its contractual obligations following attacks on its gas facilities. This situation adds to uncertainties in the energy and industrial raw materials markets. The impacts are already beginning to be felt. Several industry players admit that chip production has started to be affected, although not significantly yet. Not only helium, but other essential materials like bromine are also at risk of disruption if the conflict prolongs. Additionally, the surge in energy prices is becoming a new burden for the global technology industry. The chairman of SK Group, Chey Tae-won, even emphasised that this crisis is forcing companies to seek alternative energy sources.