Key Takeaways
- Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang made his first official visit to South Korea in over a decade, meeting with top executives from Samsung and Hyundai Motor Group.
- Huang expressed confidence in future collaborations between South Korean companies and Nvidia, anticipating announcements soon.
- Nvidia has achieved its position as the world’s first $5 trillion company, driven by soaring demand for its AI chips.
- The visit underscores Nvidia’s expanding role in AI across Asia and its position amidst global semiconductor trade tensions.
- Huang gifted AI computers to Samsung and Hyundai executives, symbolizing a commitment to future partnerships.
Nvidia CEO Visits South Korea Amidst AI Expansion
Jensen Huang, the chief executive of Nvidia, recently concluded his first official visit to South Korea in more than ten years. This significant trip saw Huang engage in high-level meetings with key figures in South Korea’s technological and automotive sectors, including Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung.
The meetings occurred at a time when Nvidia is intensifying its influence in the artificial intelligence landscape across Asia. Furthermore, the company plays a crucial role in the ongoing geopolitical discussions between the United States and China concerning the export of advanced semiconductors.
Huang confirmed his intention to meet with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, hinting at upcoming collaborative announcements between Nvidia and South Korean entities.
The Nvidia CEO also offered his perspective on the earlier discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping. Trump had previously stated that the Nvidia Blackwell AI chip was not a topic of discussion with Xi, a chip that has been central to U.S. export controls targeting China. Huang commented, “I have every confidence that the two presidents had a very good conversation. It doesn’t have to involve anything that I do.” He adopted a direct approach, choosing not to insert himself into the broader geopolitical narrative.
An Evening of Chimaek and Partnership Discussions
Jensen Huang’s informal dinner with Jay Y. Lee and Euisun Chung took place at Kkanbu Chicken, a popular venue in Seoul’s Gangnam district, renowned for its vibrant nightlife and business gatherings. The restaurant’s name, kkanbu, translates to the concept of a trusted partner, a phrase that gained international recognition following the success of Netflix’s series Squid Game.
The dinner was a classic chimaek experience, a combination of fried chicken and beer highly favored for informal after-work engagements in South Korea. The restaurant drew a crowd, with a mix of media, fans, students, and onlookers eagerly observing from outside, many capturing the moment with their phones.
Huang, known for his approachable style and direct engagement with people, emerged dressed in a simple black shirt and dark pants. He personally distributed baskets of fried chicken and cheese to the waiting crowd, eschewing formal speeches or structured events for a more organic interaction.
Inside, the discussions focused on deepening cooperation. Huang expressed his belief that future agreements with South Korean companies would be met with approval by both the U.S. President and South Korea. As a gesture of partnership, Huang presented AI computers to both Jay and Euisun before departing.
Each AI computer was accompanied by a handwritten note: “To our partnership and future of the world.” The three leaders concluded the meeting with a love shot—a South Korean toasting tradition symbolizing trust and unity—raising their glasses together, a moment that was both public and symbolic.
Nvidia’s Ascent to $5 Trillion and Humble Beginnings
Nvidia has now solidified its status as the world’s first company to reach a $5 trillion market valuation. The company’s stock saw a notable 3% increase, closing at $5.03 trillion in market value on Wednesday. This milestone followed Jensen Huang’s announcement of plans to develop supercomputers for the U.S. government.
Additionally, Huang projected that Nvidia would secure over $500 billion in new orders for its AI chips. The surge in Nvidia’s stock has been substantial, climbing nearly 50% since the beginning of 2025, a testament to the escalating global demand for AI systems and the underlying infrastructure.
This trajectory of success was not without its challenges. Nvidia’s market capitalization reached $100 billion only in July 2017, and the company faced near collapse in the mid-1990s. In 1993, a then 30-year-old Jensen Huang met with Chris Malachowsky and Curtis Priem at a Denny’s restaurant, aiming to establish a groundbreaking chip company.
Lacking a concrete roadmap, Huang has previously shared in an April 2024 interview on CBS’ “60 Minutes”: “Frankly, I had no idea how to do it, nor did they. None of us knew how to do anything.”
From sketching company plans on a diner napkin to now visiting Seoul and engaging with leaders of major corporations like Samsung and Hyundai, while also distributing food to the public, Jensen Huang’s journey with Nvidia is a remarkable narrative of innovation and perseverance.
Final Thoughts
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s recent visit to South Korea highlighted the company’s strategic focus on artificial intelligence and its global partnerships. The meetings with Samsung and Hyundai executives underscore the importance of South Korea in Nvidia’s expansion plans within the AI sector.
The company’s unprecedented market valuation reflects the massive demand for its advanced AI technology and its pivotal role in shaping the future of technology worldwide.