Kwak Noh-jung, CEO of SK hynix, has emphasized the critical role of South Korea’s semiconductor industry amid the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI).

On Feb. 20, Kwak wrote on his social media account, “Reflecting on my time at Semicon Korea 2025, I am once again reminded of the immense responsibility the semiconductor industry carries. It is also clear that the risks are growing greater than ever before as AI continues to evolve.”

His remarks suggest that the domestic semiconductor industry must respond more swiftly and proactively to AI advancements.

Speaking to reporters on Feb. 19, Kwak stated, “We have experienced an unprecedented downturn, and now, with the arrival of AI, we are facing a massive wave. I believe we (South Korea) will ride this wave successfully, and as an industry insider, I will continue to provide support.” Regarding China’s DeepSeek, which has made a significant impact on the AI market, Kwak commented, “It is difficult to specifically discuss a particular product (DeepSeek), but if more attempts are made in that category (low-cost AI models), it will ultimately serve as a significant catalyst for AI proliferation.”

Meanwhile, Kwak met with Luc Van den hove, President and CEO of IMEC, Dirk Beljaarts, the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, and Peter Wennink, former CEO of ASML, during the event. He also shared photos from these meetings on social media.

Max Mirgoli, Executive Vice President of World Wide Partnerships at IMEC, also posted on social media after meeting Kwak, stating, “What SK hynix has achieved with its cutting-edge technology is truly remarkable. This is evident in NVIDIA and AMD’s superchips. SK hynix’s high-bandwidth memory (HBM) innovation has played a crucial role in their design and the operation of massive-scale technologies.”