Nvidia is set to supply over 260,000 of its next-generation Blackwell AI chips to South Korea’s government and top corporations, including Samsung Electronics, SK Group, Hyundai Motor Group, and Naver. The deal marks a major step in South Korea’s ambition to become a key AI innovation hub in Asia.
The announcement came after a meeting in Gyeongju between Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, President Lee Jae Myung, and major Korean industry leaders. Although Nvidia did not reveal the contract’s value, Huang praised South Korea’s transformation from an industrial powerhouse to an emerging leader in artificial intelligence.
Under the agreement, South Korea’s government will use 50,000 chips to strengthen national AI infrastructure, while major companies like Samsung, SK, and Hyundai will each integrate up to 50,000 chips into advanced smart factories. Internet company Naver will acquire 60,000 chips to enhance computing systems in collaboration with the National AI Computing Center.
The deal comes amid geopolitical challenges that have reduced Nvidia’s market share in China, pushing the company to expand its presence in regions with strong AI potential. By partnering with South Korea, Nvidia is reinforcing its global dominance in the AI hardware market and supporting innovation in autonomous vehicles, robotics, and digital manufacturing.
