Samsung Group is reportedly preparing a massive investment of 1,000 trillion won ($648 billion) over the next 10 years to strengthen South Korea’s leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor manufacturing. According to local reports, the investment plan is expected to be announced during a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
The proposed investment will focus on expanding semiconductor production, AI data centers, batteries, and display technologies. A major part of the plan includes a possible 300 trillion won investment to build advanced chip factories in South Korea’s southwest region.
The initiative aims to meet the rising global demand for AI chips while creating new jobs and supporting economic growth outside the Seoul metropolitan area. The government also wants to reduce regional economic inequality by encouraging large technology companies to invest in other parts of the country.
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, two of the world’s leading memory chip manufacturers, are expected to play a key role in the project. The AI boom has significantly increased demand for advanced memory chips, making additional manufacturing capacity essential.
However, the plan has also sparked political debate. Opposition leaders argue that investment decisions should be made by companies rather than influenced by government policies. Some experts have also raised concerns about whether the southwest region has enough skilled workers and infrastructure to support large semiconductor factories.
If approved, Samsung’s long-term investment could strengthen South Korea’s position as a global AI and semiconductor powerhouse while driving innovation, creating thousands of jobs, and supporting the country’s future economic growth.
