Nvidia South Korea R&D Center 2026: A Strategic AI Expansion
Nvidia and the South Korean Science Ministry have agreed to swiftly set up a new R&D center in 2026, focusing on AI startups and semiconductor R&D.
The global AI powerhouse is officially planting its roots in the heart of East Asia. Nvidia is set to open a dedicated research facility in South Korea, marking a massive shift in the semiconductor landscape.
Accelerating Nvidia South Korea R&D Center Establishment
According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, Vice Minister Ryu Je-myung met with Jay Puri, Nvidia's Executive Vice President, in California on January 9, 2026. The two parties reached a consensus on the need to promptly establish an R&D facility in Korea. This move aims to leverage South Korea's world-class manufacturing infrastructure alongside Nvidia's cutting-edge chip design capabilities.
Fostering the AI Startup Ecosystem
The collaboration extends beyond hardware. The ministry and Nvidia discussed ways to jointly foster AI startups. This initiative follows Naver's recent announcement to build South Korea's largest AI cluster using 4,000 Nvidia B200 GPUs. To support this, the Korean government plans to funnel public growth funds into the AI and semiconductor sectors, creating a robust environment for innovation.
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