Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang: 'Korea Will Be Very Busy'

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said, "Korea will be very, very busy," after meeting with top executives of major Korean companies. CEO Huang met with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, and Naver Chairman Lee Hae-jin on June 5 at a samgyeopsal restaurant for what is being called a 'samso (samgyeopsal and soju) meeting.' Following the dinner, the group reportedly changed their second venue from a karaoke bar to a chicken restaurant.

During his schedule in Korea, CEO Huang also participated in the recording of tvN's variety show 'You Quiz on the Block.' tvN released photos and videos from the filming on its official social media on June 6. In one video, CEO Huang was seen dancing to the OST of 'K-pop Demon Hunters.' He also met with esports player Lee Sang-hyeok, known as 'Faker,' and threw the ceremonial first pitch at a Doosan Bears home game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on June 7, wearing a uniform with the number 93 on the back.

CEO Huang's visit to Korea was aimed at strengthening AI supply chain cooperation with Korean companies. During his visit, he announced plans to establish an 'AI Research Center Seoul' and begin setting up AI technology centers and hiring AI talent within Korea. Nvidia posted a job opening for a Solution Architect specializing in Physical AI for its Seoul office, signaling an effort to reduce the exodus of domestic PhD-level talent abroad and attract top global talent.

SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics supply Nvidia with high-bandwidth memory (HBM), a key component for AI semiconductors.

Nvidia's first AI laptop lineup, 'RTX Spark,' is expected to open new opportunities for Korean IT and home appliance companies in the era of 'on-device AI,' particularly in related industries such as displays, batteries, and memory. LG Chairman Koo Kwang-mo's attendance at the meeting suggests potential for expanded cooperation with LG Electronics in the RTX Spark ecosystem for premium laptops. CEO Huang also presented 'Jetson Thor,' a technology poised to usher in the next generation of humanoid robots, hinting at the growth potential of the Korean robotics industry. The participation of Hyundai Motor Group and Naver Chairman Lee Hae-jin raises expectations for synergy through integration with the Jetson Thor platform.

For these opportunities to translate into tangible assets for the Korean economy, strategic political support is required. This includes the swift enactment of an 'AI and Semiconductor Special Act,' strengthening 'energy diplomacy' for the AI era, establishing an 'AI talent visa,' providing R&D incentives, and navigating the diplomatic tightrope between US and China's technological hegemony.