Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is expected to arrive in South Korea on June 5 to meet with major technology companies including SK Group, Hyundai Motor Group, LG Corp, and Naver about robotics and physical AI applications. The visit comes as South Korea experiences a surge in artificial intelligence investment and chip demand, with SK hynix recently becoming the third company to reach a $1 trillion market valuation.

Why Is Huang Visiting South Korea Right Now?

Huang's expected arrival follows his attendance at an artificial intelligence conference in Taipei, according to local media reports. The timing reflects Nvidia's growing interest in what the company calls "physical AI," a term referring to artificial intelligence systems that control robots and physical machines rather than just processing information in data centers. This represents a meaningful expansion beyond Nvidia's traditional focus on supplying chips for training large language models and running AI software.

South Korea has become a critical hub for this emerging market. The country's economic growth and stock market rally have been significantly boosted by global demand for memory chips used in AI systems, particularly high-bandwidth memory products that Nvidia relies on heavily. SK hynix, a major supplier of these specialized memory chips to Nvidia, topped $1 trillion in market value for the first time on Wednesday, joining Samsung Electronics and US-based Micron Technology as an AI-driven rally lifted chip stocks.

What Companies Will Huang Meet With?

Huang is expected to meet with several of South Korea's largest conglomerates and technology companies. These meetings will focus on discussing physical AI applications and robotics opportunities:

• SK Group: One of South Korea's largest conglomerates, with significant interests in semiconductors and energy
• Hyundai Motor Group: The automotive manufacturer exploring robotics and autonomous vehicle technologies
• LG Corp: A diversified electronics and appliance manufacturer with robotics interests
• Naver: South Korea's leading internet and technology company with AI and robotics initiatives

While a Nvidia spokesperson told AFP that plans to travel to South Korea are "undecided," without providing further detail, the specificity of the reported meetings and arrival date suggests serious preparation for the visit.

How Does This Compare to Huang's Previous South Korea Visit?

Huang previously made headlines during a visit to South Korea for the APEC summit in the southern city of Gyeongju last year. During that trip, he announced that Nvidia would supply 260,000 of its most cutting-edge chips to South Korea, a massive commitment that underscored the country's importance to Nvidia's business. That visit also included a memorable moment when Huang enjoyed fried Korean chicken and beer, known locally as "chimaek," with Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Eui-sun, drawing crowds of spectators.

The upcoming visit appears to build on that foundation, but with a more focused agenda around physical AI and robotics rather than simply announcing chip supply commitments. This suggests Nvidia is thinking beyond its traditional role as a chip supplier and positioning itself as a partner in developing AI-powered robots and autonomous systems.

What Does This Mean for the AI Industry?

Huang's focus on physical AI reflects a broader industry shift. While the past few years have been dominated by large language models and generative AI software, the next frontier involves deploying AI in robots, manufacturing systems, and other physical applications. South Korea's manufacturing expertise, combined with its advanced semiconductor industry, makes it an ideal partner for this transition.

The visit also underscores how central South Korea has become to the global AI supply chain. The country's memory chip manufacturers are essential to Nvidia's operations, and now Huang appears to be building relationships with South Korean companies that could become major customers for AI-powered robotics systems. This creates a virtuous cycle where South Korean chip makers supply Nvidia, Nvidia supplies AI chips to South Korean manufacturers, and those manufacturers build robots and physical AI systems that drive further demand for advanced semiconductors.