OpenAI CEO Sam Altman made an unannounced trip to South Korea over the weekend, meeting Samsung executives as his company continues to develop partnerships with the country's leading chipmakers. South Korean media also reported that he held talks with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, although that meeting was not confirmed by SK Hynix.
Samsung said Saturday that Altman met about 50 executives from its affiliated companies in Yongin, south of Seoul. Those attending represented businesses across electronics, finance and biotechnology. According to Samsung, the conversation addressed developments in artificial intelligence, possible business opportunities and how the technology could affect the way companies make decisions and run their operations.
Local media reports said Altman also joined Chey for lunch on Saturday, with senior executives from SK Hynix and SK Telecom attending. Those reports suggested the discussions may have included cooperation on AI chips and data centers, alongside existing plans involving supplies of high-bandwidth memory and the development of AI data centers.
Details of the reported lunch discussions were not disclosed by the participants. SK Hynix told CNBC that it could not confirm the meeting. The possible subjects described by local media therefore remained unconfirmed, while Samsung provided an account of the separate gathering involving executives from its affiliates.
The weekend visit followed an earlier trip in October 2025, when Altman met South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Jay Y. Lee and Chey. During that visit, he announced partnerships with Samsung and SK Group under OpenAI's Stargate initiative, which seeks to expand artificial intelligence infrastructure around the world.
South Korea's role in that initiative centers on advanced memory chips and AI data center development. Under the agreements, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix set out plans to increase production of advanced memory chips. OpenAI and its South Korean partners also agreed to explore the development of AI data centers in the country.
In explaining its expansion in South Korea, OpenAI pointed to the country's position among global leaders in AI readiness. It also cited substantial public-private funding intended to strengthen competitiveness as a reason for increasing its presence there.
Altman's latest trip came after a July meeting with Jay Y. Lee at OpenAI's San Francisco headquarters, according to Samsung. Local media reported that Altman departed South Korea on Saturday.
