Nvidia's Jensen Huang sees robotics as next major sector for S. Korea

SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- Nvidia Corp. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jensen Huang said Friday that he views robotics as the next major growth sector in South Korea, adding that the domestic market is well-positioned for growth.

Huang, a central figure in the global artificial intelligence (AI) boom, made the remarks after arriving at Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul aboard his private jet for a four-day visit.

Nvidia Corp. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jensen Huang speaks to reporters after arriving at Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul on June 5, 2026. (Yonhap)

"(South) Korea has many sectors to invest in. Robotics is going to be the next major sector," Huang told reporters, adding that the Korean "market is doing very well."

Asked whether he had brought any gifts for South Korea, Huang responded with a smile.

"Did I bring any gifts for Korea? I brought a lot of business for Korea," he said. "I have some surprises."

The trip comes less than a year after Huang's previous trip to South Korea in October, which coincided with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju.

During that visit, Huang drew widespread attention when he joined Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung for a late-night meal of Korean fried chicken and beer, commonly known as "chimaek."

One of the most anticipated events during Huang's visit is an informal dinner with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo and Naver Chairman Lee Hae-jin. Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung who had earlier been expected to join the group has since confirmed he will be unable to attend.

Together, the companies represented at the gathering span nearly every layer of the AI value chain, including semiconductors, data centers, AI models, software and robotics.

Huang is also set to hold talks with executives from the gaming industry, AI and robotics startups, university researchers and students, according to industry sources.

"Because Korea is a manufacturing center of the world, we can apply the robotics technology, the physical AI technology that we invent here for the industry," he said.

He further said Nvidia will partner with domestic manufacturing firms in robotics and AI.

"The manufacturing of semiconductors will become increasingly robotics and increasingly AI driven in the future, and so we have a great opportunity to partner with the semiconductor companies here as well," he added.