July 22, 2026, (Inside AI) — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will embark on a multi-nation tour from July 24 to August 3, visiting San Francisco, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Germany. The trip includes an AI summit in San Francisco and meetings with top tech leaders.
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac confirmed Lee will hold separate summits with the leaders of Brazil, Chile, and Argentina. The AI summit will feature Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei. South Korean business titans—Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, and Hyundai Motor Executive Chair Euisun Chung—will also attend.
This diplomatic push comes as Seoul seeks to expand trade in South America. Wi highlighted plans to revive negotiations for the South Korea-Mercosur trade agreement and modernize a free trade pact with Chile. Energy and food cooperation are also on the agenda, driven by the region's vast reserves of critical minerals.
The San Francisco leg includes meetings with executives from six leading venture capital firms, including Andreessen Horowitz, General Catalyst, and Sequoia Capital. A memorandum of understanding between South Korea’s National Pension Service and these firms will formalize a long-term partnership, followed by a roundtable discussion.
Lee’s itinerary reflects a dual strategy: securing supply chains for critical minerals essential to AI hardware, and deepening ties with the epicenter of AI innovation. Chile and Argentina hold significant lithium reserves, a key component in batteries and AI infrastructure. Brazil’s rare earth elements are vital for semiconductor manufacturing.
The AI summit occurs amid fierce global competition in artificial intelligence. Nvidia’s dominance in AI chips, OpenAI’s leadership in large language models, and Anthropic’s focus on AI safety represent distinct pillars of the industry. Lee’s direct engagement with these CEOs signals South Korea’s intent to be a major player, not just a consumer, of AI technology.
Historically, South Korea has leveraged state-led industrial policy to dominate semiconductors and consumer electronics. Now, it aims to replicate that model in AI. The presence of Samsung and SK Group underscores the hardware angle—memory chips and foundry services are critical for AI training and inference.
Yet, challenges loom. The U.S. has tightened export controls on advanced chips to China, complicating supply chains. South Korea’s chipmakers must navigate these geopolitical currents while expanding capacity. The trip to Germany, a manufacturing powerhouse, may hint at collaborations in industrial AI and robotics.
Missing from official statements is any mention of AI governance or safety frameworks. With Anthropic’s Amodei at the table, discussions could touch on responsible AI development, but the public agenda emphasizes business deals over regulation. This contrasts with the EU’s stringent AI Act and ongoing U.S. debates on AI policy.
Venture capital ties are equally strategic. The National Pension Service, one of the world’s largest pension funds, seeks to boost returns through tech investments. Partnering with top-tier VC firms gives South Korea a window into emerging AI startups and potential acquisition targets.
In South America, the focus on critical minerals aligns with global trends. The International Energy Agency has warned of supply risks for lithium and rare earths. South Korea’s battery giants—LG Energy Solution and SK On—need stable access to raw materials. A trade deal with Mercosur could lower tariffs and secure long-term contracts.
Chile’s free trade agreement modernization may include digital trade provisions, a growing priority for tech-exporting nations. Brazil’s large market offers opportunities for Korean consumer electronics and automotive investments. Argentina, despite economic volatility, holds the world’s third-largest lithium reserves.
Back in San Francisco, the venture capital roundtable could yield joint funds or co-investment vehicles. Andreessen Horowitz has been a prolific investor in AI infrastructure, while Sequoia backed OpenAI and other foundational model companies. Such partnerships could accelerate Korean AI startups’ global expansion.
Lee’s trip also has a symbolic dimension. South Korea is hosting the 2026 G20 Summit, and this tour may lay the groundwork for AI-related initiatives on the global stage. The convergence of trade, technology, and diplomacy underscores AI’s role as a geopolitical asset.
As the tour unfolds, outcomes will be measured by concrete deals and policy shifts. For now, the itinerary reveals a nation aggressively positioning itself at the intersection of AI hardware, critical minerals, and venture capital—a trifecta that could define the next decade of technological leadership.
