South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has opened a new round of high-level discussions with the country’s top business leaders, beginning with a private dinner meeting with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won in Gyeongju.
The meeting took place on October 31, 2025, at the APEC Summit venue, where President Lee greeted Chey as attention increasingly turns to South Korea’s role in the global semiconductor and artificial intelligence industries. The talks come at a crucial moment for the nation’s technology sector, as chip investment, AI infrastructure, and international supply chain strategy become central issues for both government and industry.
SK Group is one of South Korea’s most influential conglomerates, with SK hynix standing as a major force in memory chips and advanced semiconductor technology. As demand for AI servers, high-bandwidth memory, and next-generation computing hardware accelerates worldwide, the company’s investment decisions are closely tied to South Korea’s broader economic competitiveness.
President Lee’s decision to begin his business outreach with Chey Tae-won signals the importance of the semiconductor sector in the administration’s growth strategy. South Korea is seeking to strengthen its position in the global chip market while navigating complex trade and technology policies involving the United States and other major economies.
The private dinner is expected to be part of a wider series of meetings between the president and leading corporate figures. These discussions are likely to focus on investment expansion, job creation, research and development, supply chain resilience, and the government support needed to keep South Korea at the forefront of advanced industries.
Artificial intelligence is also expected to be a key topic. The rapid rise of AI has sharply increased demand for advanced memory chips, data centers, and powerful computing systems. For South Korea, this presents both an opportunity and a challenge: the country must move quickly to secure investment, talent, and infrastructure while competing with other major technology hubs.
The meeting in Gyeongju also carries symbolic weight. Held alongside the APEC Summit setting, it highlights South Korea’s ambition to play a larger role in shaping the future of regional and global technology cooperation. By engaging directly with business leaders, President Lee appears to be emphasizing a partnership-driven approach to economic policy.
For SK Group, the talks come during a period of intense global attention on semiconductor supply chains. As countries race to secure chip production capacity and AI-related technology, companies like SK hynix are becoming increasingly important to national economic strategy.
While details of the dinner discussion were not publicly disclosed, the timing suggests that South Korea’s leadership is preparing for deeper cooperation with its largest companies in strategic sectors. Semiconductor investment, AI innovation, and global market access are expected to remain at the center of policy discussions in the months ahead.
President Lee’s meeting with Chey Tae-won may be the first step in a broader effort to align government priorities with corporate investment plans. As the global technology race intensifies, South Korea is positioning its chip and AI industries as key engines for future growth.
