1 EXHIBIT 23 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 33-60498, 33-61820, 33-50911, 33-52189, 33-55595, 33-57737, 333-22861 and 333-09190 of General Semiconductor, Inc. (formerly General Instrument Corporation) each on Form S-8 of our report dated February 3, 1999, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Semiconductor, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1998. /s/DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP - ------------------------- DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP Jericho, New York March 19, 1999