OpenAI CEO Sam Altman made an unannounced visit to South Korea over the weekend to meet with executives from Samsung and SK Group, continuing efforts to strengthen semiconductor partnerships.
Meetings With Samsung and SK Group
Samsung stated that Altman met with approximately 50 executives from various affiliates—including electronics, finance, and biotechnology—in Yongin, located south of Seoul. The conversations focused on artificial intelligence developments, potential business prospects, and the influence of the technology on operational and corporate decision-making processes.
According to South Korean media reports, Altman additionally met over lunch with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won on Saturday, alongside senior leaders from SK Telecom and SK Hynix. Local media outlets indicated that the parties likely addressed collaboration regarding artificial intelligence chips and data centers, encompassing ongoing projects for high-bandwidth memory supply and infrastructure development, though participants did not release specific details. SK Hynix stated to US Top News and Analysis (cnbc.com) that it could not confirm the reported gathering.
Ongoing Strategic Partnerships
Altman previously visited South Korea in October 2025 to meet President Lee Jae Myung, Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Jay Y. Lee, and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, establishing partnerships tied to OpenAI’s Stargate initiative. This global initiative seeks to broaden artificial intelligence infrastructure, with South Korea contributing through advanced memory chip manufacturing and data center construction.
The established agreements involve Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix scaling up advanced memory chip production, alongside joint explorations into artificial intelligence data centers within South Korea. OpenAI previously highlighted South Korea’s high standing in artificial intelligence readiness and substantial public-private investment as key factors for expanding local operations.
Samsung noted that Altman’s recent trip follows a meeting in July with Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Jay Y. Lee at the OpenAI headquarters in San Francisco, and local media reported that Altman departed South Korea on Saturday.
