The key decisions have clearly already been made but not yet...

The key decisions have clearly already been made but not yet announced
Hiring the type of people ASM have is only done once the internal surety level has progressed beyond question & announcement imminent. Could it possibly be awaiting Scotty from Marketing's emergence from quarantine. This is exactly the photo op politicians never miss.
An independent of China supply of rare earths & refined materials is critical to South Korea's economy & western supply of the most advanced 6nm chips. Only Sth Korea & Taiwan produce those chips.
This is almost certainly the type of strategic partnerships which are formalized in the presence of PMs of most senior ministers from both sides.
EFC must have already done preliminary assessment to issue this letter. ASM also has assurances from equivalent Sth Korean entities. We now await the formal signings, likely at a time which suits the protocol.
I hold a parcel of ASM but no way am I selling at this time. This has long legs