SEOUL — Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang is scheduled to travel to South Korea later this month to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit, marking a significant step in the company’s push to strengthen global partnerships in artificial intelligence and semiconductor technology.
The high profile visit, confirmed by Nvidia on Sunday, will take place from October 28 to 31 in the southeastern city of Gyeongju.
During the summit, Huang is expected to meet government officials, international business leaders, and executives from major Korean technology firms to discuss collaboration in AI, robotics, digital twins, and autonomous vehicles.
According to Nvidia, the visit aims to “highlight the company’s commitment to advancing technology and driving sustainable growth across global industries through AI innovation.”
The Jensen Huang South Korea visit comes at a crucial time for both Nvidia and the semiconductor industry. The company, now valued at more than $2 trillion, has become the cornerstone of the global AI boom, powering everything from large language models to data centers and self driving systems.
Nvidia’s presence in South Korea is particularly important due to its reliance on Korean suppliers such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.
Both firms manufacture high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips essential for Nvidia’s AI processors, which dominate the market for advanced computing systems.
Industry officials say Huang is expected to meet privately with top executives from both companies during the APEC event. Samsung declined to comment, and SK Hynix did not immediately respond to inquiries.
The trip also coincides with renewed geopolitical tensions between the United States and China. In recent weeks, Beijing accused Nvidia of violating its anti monopoly laws, escalating an already fraught technology rivalry that has disrupted global semiconductor supply chains.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump confirmed on Friday that he plans to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea in two weeks, raising the possibility of trade discussions that could influence future semiconductor exports.
Industry analysts say the Jensen Huang South Korea visit underscores Nvidia’s strategic efforts to diversify its partnerships in Asia and reduce exposure to Chinese regulatory risks.
“South Korea has become indispensable to Nvidia’s AI ecosystem,” said Dr. Min Jae Lee, a semiconductor policy expert at Seoul National University.
“By strengthening ties with Korean suppliers, Nvidia can ensure stable access to advanced memory technologies while aligning more closely with U.S. allies.”
The APEC Summit offers an ideal diplomatic backdrop for such engagements. As global demand for AI accelerators surges, Nvidia faces growing pressure to secure both production capacity and political stability across its supply chain.
Lisa Chang, a senior partner at TechStrategy Advisors, said Huang’s attendance reflects a blend of diplomacy and business strategy.
“This trip isn’t only about technology,” she said. “It’s about reinforcing trust among partners in an increasingly politicized global chip industry.”
Chang added that the visit may also pave the way for joint research initiatives between Nvidia and Korean firms in next generation AI architecture and memory co design.
South Korea remains one of the world’s top semiconductor exporters, producing more than 60 percent of global DRAM and over half of HBM chips used in AI accelerators.
Industry data shows Nvidia sources nearly two thirds of its memory components from Korean suppliers, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong bilateral cooperation.
According to the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the 2025 APEC CEO Summit will host about 1,700 business and government leaders from 21 member economies.
The event, featuring over 80 keynote speakers and 20 panel sessions, is expected to generate around 7.4 trillion won ($5.2 billion) in economic benefits and create approximately 22,000 local jobs.
Experts say South Korea’s advanced chip infrastructure and strategic geographic position make it an ideal partner for multinational technology leaders navigating geopolitical uncertainty.
“The country is at the center of the AI value chain,” said Dr. Lee. “Without Korea’s memory capacity, global AI progress would slow significantly.”
In Gyeongju, local officials expressed optimism about the potential economic and technological impact of Huang’s attendance.
“Having someone of Jensen Huang’s stature attend the APEC CEO Summit shows the world that South Korea is a trusted hub for innovation,” said Park Il-Joon, vice chairman of the KCCI.
“It also signals that our technology sector can play a key role in shaping global AI policy and infrastructure.” Startups and small firms are also hopeful the event will bring greater visibility to Korea’s tech ecosystem.
“When Nvidia’s CEO comes here, it’s not just symbolic,” said Kim Hee Jung, founder of a Seoul based AI software company. “It can open doors for collaboration, funding, and knowledge exchange that smaller firms desperately need.”
Local engineers are watching closely for any long term partnership announcements. A semiconductor technician at a supplier for SK Hynix, who requested anonymity, said, “Everyone in the industry knows this visit matters.
If new deals or R&D projects emerge, it could redefine Korea’s role in the next phase of AI hardware.” The Jensen Huang South Korea visit may mark a turning point for Nvidia’s Asia strategy.
Analysts expect discussions to include supply chain resilience, AI regulation, and the integration of high bandwidth memory into Nvidia’s next generation processors.
However, challenges persist. Ongoing U.S. export restrictions continue to limit the sale of Nvidia’s most advanced chips to China, while Beijing’s regulatory scrutiny introduces new market uncertainties.
Balancing innovation with compliance remains one of Nvidia’s toughest global challenges. Despite these headwinds, Huang’s diplomatic engagement is widely viewed as an effort to ensure Nvidia’s leadership in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Strengthened partnerships in South Korea could help Nvidia mitigate supply disruptions and accelerate co development of AI optimized memory and computing architectures.
For South Korea, the visit offers a valuable opportunity to solidify its position as a bridge between Western innovation and Asian manufacturing strength.
“This is a mutually reinforcing relationship,” said Dr. Lee. Korea supplies the hardware, and Nvidia provides the platform. Together they form the backbone of global AI growth.
As Nvidia continues to shape the world’s AI infrastructure, the Jensen Huang South Korea visit symbolizes both ambition and pragmatism.
The trip underscores the company’s efforts to diversify supply chains, foster international partnerships, and maintain momentum in a highly competitive semiconductor market.
While immediate agreements may take time to materialize, the long term implications are clear deeper cooperation between Nvidia and South Korean technology leaders could define the next chapter of the global AI revolution.
In a world increasingly driven by artificial intelligence, the meetings in Gyeongju represent more than diplomacy they mark a step toward a new era of strategic collaboration that blends innovation, resilience, and shared growth.
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