Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said the company will establish an artificial intelligence research and development center in South Korea [1].
This move signals a deepening strategic partnership between the world's leading AI chip designer and South Korea's largest conglomerates, which are critical to the global semiconductor supply chain.
Huang met with a group of prominent Korean business leaders in Seoul to discuss AI collaboration [1]. The attendees included SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won, LG Group chairman Koo Kwang-mo, and Naver chair Lee Hae-jin [1].
The meeting took place over a dinner that began around 7 p.m. [1]. The gathering lasted approximately two hours [1], with the group leaving the first venue at 9:10 p.m. [1]. The dinner was held at a samgyeopsal restaurant located near the Hongdae district in Seoul [1], [2].
Following the initial meal, the group moved to a second gathering at a chicken restaurant located about 200 meters away [1]. The informal setting served as the backdrop for the announcement of the new R&D center [1], [3].
Nvidia has not yet disclosed the specific size or the exact location of the planned facility. However, the presence of leaders from SK and LG suggests the center may focus on integrating Nvidia's AI architecture with Korean hardware manufacturing, and software ecosystems [1], [3].
“Nvidia will establish an AI research and development center in South Korea”
By establishing a physical R&D presence in South Korea, Nvidia is securing a closer relationship with the companies that produce the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) essential for its AI GPUs. This localized investment likely aims to accelerate the co-development of next-generation AI infrastructure while anchoring Nvidia's influence within the East Asian tech corridor.
