South Korean President Lee Jae Myung speaks at the National Assembly on November 04, 2025 in Seoul, South Korea.
As the home of major chip manufacturers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, South Korea seeks to enhance its position as a regional AI hub. President Lee, who took office on June 4, has prioritised AI-related investment to support economic growth amid concerns linked to global trade conditions. In October, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix signed initial agreements to provide memory chips for the Stargate data centres operated by OpenAI.
Ha Jung-woo, the presidential secretary on AI, said at a briefing that South Korea will also take part in building a power grid for the project. He stated that the grid will integrate nuclear power, gas and renewable energy to support the facility’s long-term operations.
Both countries signed a strategic framework agreement on Tuesday, under which they will expand cooperation in multiple AI areas. The cooperation covers investment and infrastructure, AI supply chain development and joint research aimed at strengthening technological capabilities.
Stargate UAE forms part of a broader arrangement supported by the United States. The first phase will involve the 1-gigawatt Stargate UAE project, developed by UAE state-backed company G42. The project will be carried out in partnership with U.S. companies OpenAI, Oracle, Nvidia and Cisco Systems, as well as Japan’s SoftBank Group. These firms will contribute technology, expertise and resources required to establish large-scale AI computing capacity in the region.
The agreement highlights South Korea’s intention to expand its international partnerships in emerging technology fields while supporting the UAE’s goal of developing advanced digital infrastructure. Both governments expect the initiative to accelerate regional AI development and attract long-term investment.
