US Media: "Nvidia to Announce GPU Supply Deals in Korea"
Korea Emerges as Alternative Market to China
Jensen Huang Hopes for Easing of US-China GPU Tensions
Expectations for GPU Regulation Relief at Trump-Xi Meeting
Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, is answering reporters' questions at the GTC event held in Washington DC, USA, on the 28th. Photo by Getty Images Yonhap News
Nvidia is expected to pursue GPU (graphics processing unit) supply agreements with Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor, and SK Group in conjunction with the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. With CEO Jensen Huang visiting Korea for the first time in 15 years, there is growing attention not only on expanding cooperation with Korean companies but also on the potential restructuring of the GPU supply chain, a core infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI).
According to Bloomberg News on the 28th (local time), citing anonymous sources, CEO Huang is expected to announce GPU supply contracts with Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor during his visit to Korea. The reason behind CEO Huang's push to strengthen cooperation-despite his previous reluctance to visit Korea-is that Korea has emerged as both a supplier of high-bandwidth memory (HBM), which is essential for GPUs, and as a new source of GPU demand.
The Korean government's efforts to strengthen its AI strategy, including plans to secure 300,000 GPUs to ensure AI sovereignty, have also played a role. Nvidia is already scheduled to supply GPUs to SK Group's data center, which involves an investment of 7 trillion won. While the volume of GPUs purchased by Korea is relatively small compared to that of major U.S. Big Tech companies, Nvidia is considering Korea as an alternative market, especially as China encourages domestic GPU use and imposes restrictions on Nvidia GPUs.
There is also analysis that CEO Huang's visit to Korea is underpinned by expectations for easing U.S.-China tensions over GPUs. At the GTC event held in Washington, D.C. on this day, CEO Huang expressed his support for U.S. President Donald Trump, stating, "I hope the president succeeds so that America can win."
Such remarks are drawing attention in light of the possibility of a meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC Summit. Facing the "double-edged sword" of U.S. export controls and Chinese usage restrictions, CEO Huang's visit to Korea is seen as an ideal opportunity to create new momentum.
Meanwhile, Nvidia's stock price surged 4.98% on the same day, closing at a record high of $201.03.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
