South Korea deepens its role in global AI infrastructure as Sam Altman secures chip partnerships with Korean giants
South Korea’s two largest conglomerates — Samsung Group and SK Group — have entered into strategic partnerships with OpenAI, marking a pivotal step in the global competition to build next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.
The agreements, signed separately in Seoul during OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s visit — his first in eight months — reinforce South Korea’s position as a critical player in the global AI and semiconductor supply chain. The partnerships align with Altman’s $500 billion Stargate initiative, an ambitious project backed by OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank to develop hyperscale AI data centers across the United States and Asia.
Strategic Roles for Samsung and SK Hynix
Under the new collaboration, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix will act as key suppliers of AI-optimized memory chips, crucial for powering OpenAI’s rapidly expanding computational workloads.
- Samsung Electronics is expected to supply high-performance DRAM and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips to support the massive training and inference needs of OpenAI’s data centers.
- OpenAI’s chip demand could reach 900,000 wafers of DRAM per month, a scale that underscores the project’s unprecedented size and computing requirements.
- Samsung SDS, Samsung C&T, and Samsung Heavy Industries will jointly explore AI data center development, including floating data center technologies designed to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
SK Hynix, already the world’s leading supplier of HBM chips, will focus on ensuring dedicated production capacity for OpenAI. According to industry analysts, OpenAI’s demand may exceed twice the current global HBM supply, making the deal strategically critical for both sides.
SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won called the partnership a “landmark moment,” emphasizing SK’s goal of integrating its semiconductor, data center, energy, and network businesses to reinforce Korea’s role in the global AI infrastructure ecosystem.
‘Stargate Korea’: Local Expansion with Global Impact
Beyond the chip deals, OpenAI signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) to explore the development of large-scale AI data centers outside the Seoul metropolitan area.
Potential sites include South Jeolla Province and Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, where projects tentatively named “Stargate Korea” are expected to take shape.
- SK Group will likely lead the South Jeolla development.
- Samsung will oversee the Pohang project.
These centers aim to boost regional economies, create high-value jobs, and advance Korea’s ambition to become one of the world’s top three AI powers.
Leadership Voices: Korea’s Unique Edge in AI
During the signing ceremonies, Sam Altman praised South Korea’s combination of advanced infrastructure, government support, and technological talent.
“Korea has all the ingredients to be a global leader in AI—incredible tech talent, world-class infrastructure, strong government support, and a thriving AI ecosystem. We’re excited to work with Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, and the Ministry of Science and ICT through our global Stargate initiative to support Korea’s AI ambitions.”
Samsung Chairman Jay Y. Lee echoed this optimism, noting that the collaboration will position Korea “at the center of the global AI paradigm.” President Lee Jae-myung, who met Altman, Lee, and Chey after the signing, called the partnership a “win-win collaboration” that strengthens Korea’s semiconductor supply chain and expands its leadership in global AI innovation.
Economic and Market Implications
The partnerships carry significant economic implications for both South Korea and the global AI sector.
- They are expected to boost semiconductor exports, attract foreign investment, and accelerate AI infrastructure development.
- The deals also align with South Korea’s national strategy to lead in AI, chips, and renewable energy integration.
The financial markets reacted swiftly:
- Samsung Electronics shares surged 4.7%, reaching their highest level in more than four years.
- SK Hynix jumped 12% to an all-time high.
Together, the two companies added $37 billion in combined market capitalization in a single day.
Analysts say the partnerships ease concerns about potential declines in chip prices next year and reaffirm Korea’s importance in the AI-driven global semiconductor value chain.
A Defining Moment for Korea’s AI Future
The Stargate initiative positions South Korea not just as a hardware supplier but as a strategic partner in the evolution of global AI systems. By linking its semiconductor strength with OpenAI’s computing ambitions, Korea is setting the foundation for a new era of AI-driven industrial growth.
If successful, Stargate could become a transformational model — one that integrates AI innovation, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing into a unified global infrastructure. And at the heart of it, South Korea appears poised to play one of its most influential roles yet in shaping the future of AI.
