0207 GMT - Taiwan's semiconductor industry could be more vulnerable to disruptions in Middle Eastern energy supplies than South Korea, Barclays economists say. The Iran conflict, now in its third week, poses a tail risk to the two Asian semiconductor powerhouses, economists led by Bum Ki Son write in a note. As stable power is critical for chip-making, South Korea appears better positioned than Taiwan to ramp up nuclear power, they say. While Taiwan's top chip maker, TSMC, accounts for 10% of the island's electricity use, South Korea's Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix together use about 5% of the country's total, they say. Taiwan holds more than 100 days of oil reserves versus 208 days for South Korea, they add. (kwanwoo.jun@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 17, 2026 22:08 ET (02:08 GMT)

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