President Lee of South Korea unveiled the San Francisco AI Declaration this week to attract U.S. investment and deepen technology cooperation.

The move signals South Korea's ambition to dominate the global supply chain for artificial intelligence. By aligning with Silicon Valley, Lee aims to secure the infrastructure and capital necessary to maintain a competitive edge in high-performance computing.

During the first leg of his visit to the United States, Lee announced three [1] mega-projects focused on semiconductors, AI data centers, and physical AI. These initiatives are designed to position South Korea as a trusted global hub for AI semiconductors [1].

The strategy focuses on creating a symbiotic relationship between Korean hardware manufacturing and American software innovation. By establishing these projects, the administration seeks to lock in long-term business commitments from major U.S. tech firms [1].

The San Francisco AI Declaration serves as a framework for this partnership. It outlines how the two nations can collaborate on the development of next-generation chips, and the data centers required to power them [1].

Lee said the goal is to cement Korea's status as a leader in the AI era. The visit emphasizes the strategic importance of the U.S. market for Korea's industrial growth — specifically in the realm of physical AI, where robotics and intelligence converge [1].

“President Lee announced three mega-projects to position Korea as a global AI semiconductor hub.”

This initiative represents a strategic pivot for South Korea, moving from a traditional hardware supplier to an integrated AI infrastructure partner. By targeting 'physical AI' and data centers, South Korea is attempting to hedge against potential shifts in the semiconductor market and ensure its technology remains essential to the U.S. AI ecosystem.