Musk's Potential South Korea Visit Sparks Intense Business Interest

The possibility of a visit to South Korea by Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has become a hot topic of intense interest among the nation's business circles. The anticipation is fueled by the expanding scope of cooperation, moving beyond Tesla's self-driving semiconductors and memory to encompass SpaceX's satellite communications, xAI's data center power grids, and Neuralink's brain implant chips, highlighting the increasing importance of the South Korean supply chain across Musk's future ventures.

Samsung Electronics signed a foundry contract worth $16.5 billion with Tesla last year, set to last until the end of 2033. The plan is to produce Tesla's next-generation AI6 chip at Samsung's Taylor, Texas facility. Samsung Electronics is also involved in the production of Tesla's AI5 chip, a critical component for vehicles, robotaxis, humanoid robots, and AI data centers. SK Hynix is also expected to benefit, as its memory is reportedly being used in AI5 samples, while Samsung Electro-Mechanics and LG Innotek are said to be supplying high-performance camera modules for the autonomous robotaxi, Cybercab.

Samsung Electronics' foundry division is participating in the development of Neuralink's fourth-generation brain implant semiconductor, expected to utilize a 4-nanometer process. Mass production could potentially begin as early as 2027. Major South Korean companies are looking to expand the benefits for the domestic semiconductor industry by securing additional demand stemming from increased investments in robotaxis, humanoid robots, and AI data centers, going beyond Tesla's current vehicle sales.