(2nd LD) Nvidia's Jensen Huang holds 'samgyeopsal' dinner with Korean biz leaders

(ATTN: UPDATES with latest events throughout; ADDS new photos; TRIMS)By Kim Han-joo

SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- Nvidia Corp. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jensen Huang on Friday held a casual Korean-style barbecue dinner with South Korean business leaders, including SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, in Seoul in a move highlighting their business cooperation in the booming artificial intelligence (AI) sector.

Huang, Chey, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo and Naver Chairman Lee Hae-jin gathered at a samgyeopsal restaurant in the northwestern Hongdae area.

They ate samgyeopsal, or grilled pork belly, accompanied by a mix of soju and beer, dubbed "sam-so" in Korean.

Nvidia Corp. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jensen Huang, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo and Naver Chairman Lee Hae-jin (from R to L) toast during dinner at a samgyeopsal restaurant in the Hongdae area, northwestern Seoul, on June 5, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

Hundreds of people and journalists assembled outside the restaurant to catch a glimpse of the rare meeting of AI industry leaders.

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

Before the dinner, Huang visited an internet cafe in Seoul and met with esports players, including gaming superstar Faker.

"This is the birthplace of esports," Huang said, emphasizing that Korean gamers have long been among the world's most competitive players who are using Nvidia's graphics processing units (GPUs).

Nvidia's GeForce graphics cards are designed to deliver the high frame rates demanded by professional gamers.

Huang arrived in South Korea earlier in the day aboard his private jet for a four-day visit.

Upon arrival, he said he views robotics as the next major growth sector in South Korea, adding that the domestic market is well-positioned for growth.

People gather outside a samgyeopsal restaurant in the Hongdae area, northwestern Seoul, where Nvidia Corp. chief Jensen Huang, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo and Naver Chairman Lee Jae-jin have a casual dinner 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 Hua