South Korea Partners with OpenAI to Build a $1 Trillion AI-Driven Export Economy by 2030

South Korea has set an ambitious roadmap to become a global artificial intelligence (AI) powerhouse, leveraging its strong industrial base and strategic alliances with global tech leaders. The government's AI Economic Blueprint, developed in collaboration with OpenAI, outlines a dual-track strategy focused on technological sovereignty and international cooperation.

According to the Bank of Korea, AI could raise national productivity by 3.2% and boost GDP growth by up to 12.6%, countering the country's current slowdown. Under President Lee Jae-myung's administration, the AI Basic Act (effective 2025) sets the legal framework for ethical AI development, backed by ?150 trillion (USD 115 billion) in public-private investment.

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A landmark meeting between President Lee, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and leaders from Samsung and SK Group in October 2025 solidified Korea's place in the global AI ecosystem. Both Samsung and SK have joined OpenAI's Stargate initiative, a multibillion-dollar project to expand frontier AI infrastructure and chip capacity worldwide.

Strengthening AI Infrastructure and Global Ties

Under the Stargate partnership, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix will target production of 900,000 DRAM wafer starts per month to power OpenAI's advanced models. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) has signed an MoU with OpenAI to explore AI data center development outside Seoul, promoting balanced regional growth.

This initiative complements Korea's broader mission to scale its sovereign AI ecosystem while collaborating with frontier developers. "AI is Korea's next growth engine," OpenAI's Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane said, emphasizing the nation's unique balance of technological excellence and social inclusivity.

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AI Integration Across Core Sectors

The blueprint identifies manufacturing, healthcare, and education as priority sectors for AI transformation. In manufacturing, AI-driven smart factories and autonomous systems are projected to fuel a USD 1 trillion export target by 2030. In healthcare, Korea's AI market is forecasted to grow 50.8% annually, reaching USD 6.67 billion by 2030. Education, another national focus, is adopting AI tutors and "AI-native" learning environments through partnerships like OpenAI-Seoul National University's AI Campus Initiative.

Toward Global AI Leadership

The report calls for a dual-track strategy, advancing Korea's sovereign AI capabilities while deepening cooperation with global frontier AI providers. This approach, it argues, will position South Korea not only as an AI user but as a global standard-setter exporting "AI Nation Packages" that combine technology, financing, and policy expertise.

With its powerful blend of innovation, infrastructure, and intent, South Korea is poised to lead the next wave of global AI-driven growth.

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