The so-called "kkanbu stocks" (a Korean slang term for close allies), which drew attention around Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's visit to Korea, are holding up relatively well even as the KOSPI plunges. As selling spreads across the broader Korean market, expectations for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure cooperation with Nvidia are supporting the share prices of some stocks.
According to the Korea Exchange, Doosan Robotics (454910.KS) was trading at 145,000 won as of 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, up 4,700 won, or 3.35%, from the previous session. SK Telecom (017670.KS) rose 2,200 won, or 2.07%, to 108,600 won. Naver fell as low as 238,500 won early in the session but pared losses to trade at 254,000 won at the same time, down 1,500 won, or 0.59%. LG Electronics (066570.KS) was trading at 272,500 won, down 30,500 won, or 10.07%.
These stocks have drawn investor attention following Huang's visit to Korea and the announcement of Nvidia partnerships. During Huang's visit, Nvidia announced cooperation with SK hynix, Naver, and Doosan Group in the AI data center sector. Naver plans to build a gigawatt-scale AI factory using Nvidia technology. Doosan Group was cited as a partner that will provide energy solutions to Nvidia's data center platform and apply physical AI-related technologies.
SK Telecom also benefited from continued expectations for Nvidia cooperation. SK Telecom plans to build gigawatt-scale AI cloud infrastructure in Korea using Nvidia technology, with its first AI data center targeted to begin operations in 2027. The announcement by SK hynix and Nvidia of a plan to cooperate on next-generation AI memory is also seen as having influenced investor sentiment toward SK Group stocks overall.
Huang's visit went beyond a simple corporate visit, raising expectations for the expansion of Korea's AI ecosystem. The visit has fueled hopes that cooperation could extend beyond semiconductors to robotics, smart factories, and AI platforms. Huang is reported to be scheduled to visit, in order, the LG Twin Towers in Seoul's Yeouido, Seoul National University, Hyundai Motor Group's Yangjae headquarters, and Naver's 1784 building in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. He is expected to discuss cooperation plans with each company and university in the areas of AI infrastructure, robotics, physical AI, cloud, and digital twins.
