OpenAI CEO Sam Altman visited South Korea without prior announcement over the weekend, met with Samsung executives, and reportedly held talks with SK Group Chairman Choi Tae-won, continuing to advance the existing cooperation with South Korea's major chip manufacturers.

Samsung stated on Saturday that Altman met with about 50 executives from Samsung-affiliated companies in Yongin, south of Seoul. These businesses cover electronics, finance, and biotechnology.

Samsung stated that both parties discussed the development of AI, potential business opportunities, as well as the impact of this technology on corporate decision-making and operations.

According to South Korean media reports, Altman also had lunch with Choi Tae-won, the chairman of the SK group, on Saturday. Executives from SK Hynix and SK Telecom also attended the meeting.

Local media reports that the two parties may have discussed cooperation on AI chips and data centers, including the existing high-bandwidth memory supply plan as well as the development of the AI data center. The participants did not provide details of the discussions.

SK Hyliс told CNBC that it is impossible to confirm this reported meeting.

Altman last visited South Korea in October 2025, where he met with South Korean President Lee Jae-myeong, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, and SK Group Chairman Choi Tae-won. As part of OpenAI's " Stargate " initiative, he announced a partnership with Samsung and SK Group.

The Stargate plan of OpenAI aims to expand the AI infrastructure globally, and South Korea plays a role in this by focusing on the supply of advanced storage chips and cooperation in the development of AI data centers.

According to these agreements, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix outlined plans to increase the production of advanced memory chips, while OpenAI and its Korean partners agreed to explore the development of a AI data center in Korea.

OpenAI indicates that South Korea is among the top in the world in terms of AI readiness, and both the government and private sectors have invested a large amount of capital to enhance competitiveness. These factors are reasons for its expanded presence in South Korea.

Samsung stated that this visit by Altman followed closely on a meeting with Samsung Electronics President Lee Jae-yong at its headquarters in San Francisco in July.

According to local media reports, Altman left South Korea on Saturday.