SK Hynix and Samsung gained after OpenAI tapped them for its $500bn AI data-centre project.
Shares of SK Hynix jumped nearly 10%, while Samsung Electronics climbed over 3% in Thursday trading.
OpenAI confirmed both firms will provide high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for its Stargate supercomputer initiative.
Samsung dominates global memory production, leading in DRAM and NAND flash chips for servers and devices.
SK Hynix, the second-largest DRAM maker, leads in high-bandwidth memory, powering Nvidia’s advanced AI processors.
Together, the Korean giants control over half the global memory market, influencing pricing and technology shifts worldwide.
Securing Demand for High-Bandwidth Memory
AI computing relies heavily on HBM to process vast datasets at unmatched speeds.
Standard memory cannot handle the training and deployment of large-scale AI models.
Stargate aims to build a global AI supercomputer network, requiring hundreds of thousands of HBM wafers each month.
Industry projections suggest this surge will reshape semiconductor capacity worldwide.
SK Hynix expects to reinforce its leadership in HBM3 production.
Samsung plans to accelerate development and adoption of HBM4 to capture future demand.
South Korea Emerges as AI Power Base
The initiative strengthens South Korea’s position as more than a hardware producer.
By anchoring one of the largest AI infrastructure projects, Seoul boosts its role as a strategic tech hub.
OpenAI’s investment deepens US-Korea ties while reducing reliance on China-sensitive technology networks.
Washington seeks critical facilities in allied nations to secure AI supply chains.
South Korea’s export-driven memory chip industry delivers both scale and strategic alignment.
The Stargate project cements Korea’s place at the centre of global AI infrastructure.
