OpenAI CEO Sam Altman made an unannounced visit to South Korea over the weekend, meeting with Samsung executives and reportedly meeting with SK Group Chairman Choi Tae-won, building on the company’s existing partnership with the leading South Korean chipmaker.
Samsung said Saturday that Altman met with about 50 executives from related companies spanning electronics, finance and biotechnology in Yongin, south of Seoul.
According to Samsung, the discussion covered AI developments, potential business opportunities, and the technology’s impact on corporate decision-making and operations.
According to Korean media reports, Altman also met with SK Group Chairman Choi Tae-won during lunch on Saturday, and executives from SK Hynix and SK Telecom were also present.
According to local media reports, the two sides may have discussed cooperation on AI chips and data centers, including the supply of high-bandwidth memory and existing plans to develop AI data centers. Participants did not disclose details of the discussion.
SK Hynix told CNBC that it could not confirm the reported meeting.
Mr. Altman also visited South Korea in October 2025, where he met with President Lee Jae-myung, Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Jay Y. Lee, and SK Group Chairman Choi Tae-won, and announced a partnership with Samsung and SK Group as part of OpenAI’s Stargate initiative.
OpenAI’s Stargate initiative aims to expand AI infrastructure globally, and South Korea is playing a role through partnerships focused on supplying advanced memory chips and developing AI data centers.
Under the agreement, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix outlined plans to expand production of advanced memory chips, while OpenAI and its Korean partners agreed to explore developing AI data centers in the country.
OpenAI cited South Korea’s ranking as a world leader in AI readiness and significant public and private funding to strengthen its competitiveness as reasons for expanding its presence in South Korea.
According to Samsung, Altman’s visit also follows his meeting with Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Jay Y. Lee at OpenAI’s headquarters in San Francisco in July.
Altman left South Korea on Saturday, according to local media reports.
