OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Makes Surprise Weekend Visit to South Korea to Meet Samsung and SK Executives, Deepening AI Chip and Data Center Cooperation

Stock News11:38

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman made an unannounced weekend visit to South Korea, meeting with Samsung Electronics executives and holding talks with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, aiming to deepen existing partnerships with South Korea's leading chip manufacturers.

Samsung said on Saturday that Altman met with approximately 50 executives from Samsung Electronics and its affiliates in finance and biotechnology in Yongin, south of Seoul. Samsung stated that the two sides discussed the development of artificial intelligence, potential business opportunities, and the impact of the technology on corporate decision-making and operations.

In addition, according to reports, Altman also had lunch with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won on Saturday, with executives from SK Hynix and SK Telecom in attendance. Local media reported that the two sides may have discussed cooperation on AI chips and data centers, including existing plans for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) supply and AI data center development. However, attendees did not provide details of the discussions.

Partnership Background: Advancing the "Stargate" Initiative

Altman had previously visited South Korea in October 2025, when he met with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, and announced the establishment of partnerships with Samsung and SK Group as part of OpenAI's "Stargate" initiative. The initiative aims to expand AI infrastructure globally, with South Korea participating through cooperation focused on advanced memory chip supply and AI data center development.

Under the agreement, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix plan to increase production of advanced memory chips, while OpenAI and its South Korean partners agreed to explore developing AI data centers in South Korea. OpenAI noted that South Korea leads the world in AI readiness and possesses strong public and private funding to enhance competitiveness, which is the reason for its expansion in South Korea.

According to Samsung, Altman's latest visit follows a meeting he held with Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong at OpenAI's San Francisco headquarters in July of this year.

According to local media reports, Altman left South Korea on Saturday.

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