South Korean tech giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have hit their highest stock prices in a year after announcing partnerships with OpenAI, a leading artificial‑intelligence company. The news propelled the country’s stock market to a record high, with the benchmark KOSPI index surpassing 3,500 points for the first time in history.
Samsung Electronics, the largest chaebol in South Korea, saw its shares rise 4.7 percent in early trade, reaching a 52‑week high and its strongest level in nearly five years. SK Hynix, a prominent memory‑chip maker, also posted a sharp gain, with its stock climbing more than 10 percent to a one‑year peak.
The surge follows the announcement of preliminary deals between Samsung, SK Hynix and OpenAI to supply chips and equipment for OpenAI’s Stargate project. OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman visited Seoul to finalize the agreements, which are expected to meet the company’s growing demand for memory chips. Projections indicate that OpenAI’s memory needs could reach up to 900,000 DRAM wafers per month, with both Samsung and SK Hynix committed to providing the necessary components.
The Stargate project is part of a broader initiative launched by U.S. President Donald Trump to invest up to $500 billion in artificial‑intelligence infrastructure in the United States. During his Seoul visit, Altman also met South Korean President Lee Jae‑Myung, who pledged support for AI development in the Asia‑Pacific region. The South Korean government has promised close cooperation with OpenAI to position the country as a hub for AI innovation.
Separate government data released on Wednesday showed that South Korea’s semiconductor exports have reached an all‑time high, driven by booming global demand for AI chips. This trend is expected to continue, with the nation’s tech industry poised for significant growth in the coming years. The partnership between Samsung, SK Hynix and OpenAI underscores South Korea’s potential to become a major player in the global AI market, reinforcing its position as a leader in the tech sector.
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