Elite Economic Delegation with ₩208 Trillion Investment... Lee: 'Entrepreneurs Are the Core of Korea-US Cooperation'
Summary
- It was reported that Korean companies announced a large-scale investment plan in the United States worth $150 billion (about ₩208 trillion).
- Leading group executives including Chairman Lee Jae-yong stated that they focused on discussions of cooperation with the United States centering on semiconductors, AI, and battery fields.
- The industry evaluated this investment as a catalyst for strengthening the technological and economic alliance between the two countries.
16 Entrepreneurs Attend Business Round Table
Large-Scale Investment in Advanced Industries
From Semiconductors and Shipbuilding to AI and Biotech
Expansion of US Investments to Satisfy Trump
'Actively Fulfilling the Role of Civilian Diplomats'
Key US Figures Like Jensen Huang in Attendance
This Korea-US summit economic delegation is notable for being composed of the top-level, most elite business leaders capable of presenting solid investment and cooperation strategies with the US. The aim is to respond to President Donald Trump’s investment pressure and propose cooperation cards satisfactory to the US business sector.
On the American side, key figures such as Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, and other major players attended to seek cooperation measures. The result was that Korean companies announced a US investment plan worth $150 billion (about ₩208 trillion). The industry analysis is that this major investment plan will serve as a catalyst to strengthen the technological and economic alliance between the two countries.
◇ Synergy Between US Technology and Korea's Manufacturing Competitiveness
The economic delegation, composed of 16 representative entrepreneurs including Lee Jae-yong (Samsung Electronics Chairman), Chey Tae-won (SK Group Chairman), Chung Eui-sun (Hyundai Motor Group Chairman), and Koo Kwang-mo (LG Group Chairman), attended the 'Korea-US Business Round Table' held at the White House on the 25th (local time) after the summit.
Other key executives such as Kim Dong-kwan (Vice Chairman of Hanwha), Chung Ki-sun (Senior Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai), Huh Tae-soo (Chairman of GS), Cho Won-tae (Chairman of Hanjin), Lee Jay-hyun (Chairman of CJ), Koo Ja-eun (Chairman of LS), Park Ji-won (Chairman of Doosan Enerbility), Seo Jung-jin (Chairman of Celltrion), Ryu Jin (Chairman of the Korea Enterprises Federation/Poongsan), and Choi Yoon-bum (Chairman of Korea Zinc) joined. Kim Sang-hyun (Vice Chairman and Head of Retail at Lotte) and Choi Soo-yeon (CEO of Naver), as professional managers, also explored cooperation with the US.
Many say the American business delegation also included unexpectedly prominent figures, notably Jensen Huang, CEO driving the global AI industry. Top executives from core US industry leaders—David Rubenstein (Co-Chairman of The Carlyle Group), Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and General Motors—were also present. Business leaders from both countries agreed on the necessity of technical cooperation amid rapid changes in the global industrial landscape due to reciprocal tariffs.
◇ Samsung Initiates US Semiconductor Boost Project
The highlight was Korean companies’ unveiling of US investment plans. Korean firms announced $150 billion worth of US investments, reinforcing the 'Korea-US Economic and Technological Alliance.'
Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Chairman Chey Tae-won held focused discussions with CEO Huang on semiconductor and AI cooperation. The plan to collaborate on high-bandwidth memory (HBM), key to the semiconductor industry for AI, was raised. In addition to the plant under construction at Taylor Foundry in Texas (semiconductor foundry) with an investment of $37 billion by 2030, Samsung proposed further facility investment, establishment of a local semiconductor ecosystem, and plans to invest in US shipbuilding.
Chairman Chey reportedly disclosed additional collaboration plans in batteries and semiconductors. SK Hynix is preparing to build a post-processing plant for next-generation HBM semiconductors by investing $3.87 billion in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Chairman Chung Eui-sun detailed the $21 billion investment plan announced during his visit to the White House in March, and Hyundai Motor Group is also reviewing investments in future industries like robotics and energy. Chairman Koo Kwang-mo expressed intentions to expand US investments in key businesses such as batteries and home appliances.
Kim Dong-kwan (Vice Chairman of Hanwha) and Chung Ki-sun (Senior Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai), the architects of the MASGA (Make American Shipbuilding Great Again) project, discussed various options for local partnerships. On this day, HD Hyundai signed the first MOU related to MASGA with Cerberus—an American private equity fund that owns the Subic Shipyard in the Philippines—and Korea Development Bank. Chairman Koo Ja-eun announced an investment plan worth $3 billion including subsea cables and electrical apparatus, while Chairman Choi Yoon-bum proposed to stably supply antimony, a type of rare earth, to companies like Lockheed Martin.
A high-ranking industry official explained: "This event has strengthened both countries' cooperation centering on manufacturing fields such as semiconductors, batteries, and shipbuilding, and solidified an economic and security alliance for advanced technology and critical minerals."
Hwang Jung-soo, Shin Jung-eun, Sung Sang-hoon, reporters hjs@hankyung.com
Korea Economic Daily
hankyung@bloomingbit.ioThe Korea Economic Daily Global is a digital media where latest news on Korean companies, industries, and financial markets.
