[Gyeongju APEC] Jensen Huang Meets Choi Tae-won: "Perfect AI Collaboration"

"Korea Possesses Outstanding Technology, Software, and Manufacturing Capabilities"
"Infrastructure Development Accelerates Rapid Expansion of the AI Ecosystem"
Strengthening Collaboration in AI Factories, Robotics, and Autonomous Driving

Jensen Huang, Chief Executive Officer of Nvidia, stated after his meeting with Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and SK Group, "SK is an important partner that has helped us develop AI supercomputers. Our perfect collaboration has contributed to the growth of Korea's semiconductor industry and, furthermore, enabled Nvidia to support Korea." SK Hynix is the largest supplier of high-value-added products such as high-bandwidth memory (HBM) to Nvidia.

Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and SK Group, and Jensen Huang, Chief Executive Officer of Nvidia, are meeting and conversing on the afternoon of the 31st at the Gyeongju Arts Center. Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry

On the afternoon of the 31st, CEO Huang met with Chairman Choi after delivering a special keynote session at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit at the Hwarang Hall of the Gyeongju Arts Center. During this visit to Korea, CEO Huang announced large-scale AI collaboration plans with the Korean government, Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, Hyundai Motor Company, and Naver.

Nvidia has decided to supply a total of 260,000 graphics processing units (GPUs) to Korea, worth up to 14 trillion won. This means that Korea will be able to secure a priority supply of GPUs, which are in short supply globally, while also participating in Nvidia's "AI ecosystem." As a result, expectations are rising that Korea's establishment of "sovereign AI" will accelerate.

When asked about the implications of Nvidia's partnership with Korea, he said, "The world has now entered the era of the AI revolution. Immediate cooperation with Korea is a great honor for us, and I believe we can accomplish many things together through this partnership." He continued, "The first thing we must do is build AI infrastructure. With AI technology, we will create not only factories but also facilities that support local ecosystems and startups." He emphasized that developing the AI ecosystem for various industries is essential, and that collaboration with Korea is at the core of this effort.

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun are taking a commemorative photo after a "chimaek" gathering at a chicken restaurant in Samseong-dong, Seoul on the evening of the 30th. Photo by Jo Yongjun

CEO Huang repeatedly expressed his affection for Korea. He said, "Korea possesses outstanding technology, excellent software capabilities, and manufacturing prowess. It is rare to find a country in the world where all of this is possible." He added, "We have also announced plans for cooperation in AI factories, robotics, and autonomous driving. This presents an opportunity for Korea to lead the world in AI industries and robotics."

He further lightened the mood by saying, "Korean fried chicken is incredibly delicious."

Although Chairman Choi did not attend the so-called "AI Kkanbu" gathering with Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun the previous night, CEO Huang said, "I understand that my friend was simply too busy yesterday." Chairman Choi was unable to attend the Seoul meeting because he needed to remain in Gyeongju as the chair of the CEO Summit. CEO Huang also joked, after receiving an HBM wafer as a gift from Chairman Choi, "The wafer is so expensive and so heavy."