A semiconductor switching circuit, for use in a HVDC power converter, comprising: a main semiconductor switching element including a control terminal for receiving a switching signal and first and second connection terminals (14, 16) between which current flows from the first connection terminal to the second connection terminal when the main semiconductor switching element is switched on, the main semiconductor switching element having an auxiliary semiconductor switching element electrically connected between the first and second connection terminals (14, 16) thereof and having an auxiliary control terminal for receiving an auxiliary switching signal, the auxiliary switching signal being different from the switching signal; and a control unit operatively connected with the auxiliary semiconductor switching element and configured to provide the auxiliary switching signal, wherein the control unit is programmed to control switching of the auxiliary semiconductor switching element in a given operating cycle to selectively create an alternative current path between the first and second connection terminals (14, 16) associated therewith whereby current is diverted to flow through the alternative current path to reduce the voltage across the main semiconductor switching element, wherein the switching of the auxiliary semiconductor switching element in a given operating cycle to create the alternative current path includes operation of the auxiliary semiconductor switching element in at least two of: (i) a fully-on mode in which the auxiliary semiconductor switching element is operated with its maximum rated base current or gate voltage; (ii) a pulsed switched mode in which the auxiliary semiconductor switching element is turned on and off; and (iii) an active mode in which the auxiliary semiconductor switching element is operated with a continuously variable base current or gate voltage. a main semiconductor switching element including a control terminal for receiving a switching signal and first and second connection terminals (14, 16) between which current flows from the first connection terminal to the second connection terminal when the main semiconductor switching element is switched on, the main semiconductor switching element having an auxiliary semiconductor switching element electrically connected between the first and second connection terminals (14, 16) thereof and having an auxiliary control terminal for receiving an auxiliary switching signal, the auxiliary switching signal being different from the switching signal; and a control unit operatively connected with the auxiliary semiconductor switching element and configured to provide the auxiliary switching signal, wherein the control unit is programmed to control switching of the auxiliary semiconductor switching element in a given operating cycle to selectively create an alternative current path between the first and second connection terminals (14, 16) associated therewith whereby current is diverted to flow through the alternative current path to reduce the voltage across the main semiconductor switching element, wherein the switching of the auxiliary semiconductor switching element in a given operating cycle to create the alternative current path includes operation of the auxiliary semiconductor switching element in at least two of: (i) a fully-on mode in which the auxiliary semiconductor switching element is operated with its maximum rated base current or gate voltage; (ii) a pulsed switched mode in which the auxiliary semiconductor switching element is turned on and off; and (iii) an active mode in which the auxiliary semiconductor switching element is operated with a continuously variable base current or gate voltage. (i) a fully-on mode in which the auxiliary semiconductor switching element is operated with its maximum rated base current or gate voltage; (ii) a pulsed switched mode in which the auxiliary semiconductor switching element is turned on and off; and (iii) an active mode in which the auxiliary semiconductor switching element is operated with a continuously variable base current or gate voltage.