Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang made a near-complete loop around Seoul on Wednesday, the fourth day of his visit to Korea, working to solidify an "artificial intelligence (AI) alliance" with Korean companies.
At around 8:30 a.m. that morning, Huang left the Four Seasons Hotel near Gwanghwamun in Seoul, where he was staying, and visited the SK Seorin Tower to meet SK Group Chairman Tae-won Choi. The two had met twice during "Computex 2026" held in Taiwan last week, and had already met three times during Huang's visit to Korea, confirming they are "true gganbu" (close partners).
Chairman Choi and Huang announced a long-term partnership of more than two years to develop "memory for AI factories." There, Huang stressed, "It is an absolute fact that the future of AI is very bright," adding, "Whatever happens in the stock market, you should be very happy. Because you can buy at a discounted price now."
At around 10 a.m., he visited the LG Twin Towers in Yeouido, Seoul, to meet LG Group Chairman Kwang-mo Koo and discuss ways to expand cooperation centered on key AI application areas such as robotics, data centers, and mobility. Huang said, "LG's technology is world-class and fantastic," and Koo said, "We agreed to meet next time in California to discuss future cooperation plans."
At noon, Huang visited the site of "Build a Claw," Nvidia's AI agent hands-on program held at the Haedong Advanced Engineering Building at Seoul National University. Meeting with students, Huang said, "If the past 40 years were the age of software engineers, now the age of mechanical engineering has come again," and assessed, "Countries that possess all of the electronics industry, cloud technology, mechanical engineering, manufacturing, and AI competitiveness are rare in the world, but Korea has built up all of these capabilities over 20 years." He also presented "the courage to believe in a market that does not exist" as the essence of innovation.
Huang then visited Hyundai Motor Group's Yangjae headquarters to meet Chairman Euisun Chung, Vice Chairman Jaehoon Chang, and Park Min-woo, head of the Advanced Vehicle Platform (AVP) division and a former Nvidia executive. He said, "Now is Hyundai's time," and particularly praised Chung as "a leader who has successfully led the company over a long period."
He then moved to Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, to visit Naver's second headquarters, 1784, where he reunited with Naver Chairman Lee Hae-jin three days after their last meeting, and also appeared on a special broadcast of Naver's live streaming platform "Chzzk."
Huang then moved to the Shilla Hotel in Seoul to meet Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon and discuss the supply of graphics processing units (GPUs) and the establishment of a domestic AI technology center. Regarding the 260,000 GPUs that Nvidia agreed to supply, Bae said, "We have agreed to receive support without any setbacks," and particularly said of the next-generation AI accelerator "Vera Rubin," "Korea has agreed to be supplied first."
He also held a private meeting with Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Jun Young-hyun in place of Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee, who is on an overseas business trip. The previous day, Huang had confirmed his close relationship with Lee, saying, "A few weeks ago, Chairman Lee came to find me in California and we had dinner together."
Huang, who showed exceptional affection for Korean culture such as K-food and K-pop during his visit, held the "Korea AI Ecosystem Reception" as the final event of his trip, building rapport while exchanging views with the heads of domestic AI and robotics companies. An Nvidia official noted, "Huang even canceled his Hawaii vacation plans to visit Korea," adding, "In the industry, there is even talk of the possibility of holding a 'GTC Korea.'"
