November 13, 2026, (Inside AI) — South Korea's Science and ICT Minister Bae Kyung-hoon said on Friday that Nvidia has confirmed it will proceed with its previously announced plan to supply 260,000 advanced graphics processing units (GPUs) to South Korea, despite the resignation of Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang. The minister disclosed the confirmation in a post on X, according to sources.
The commitment, first made last year during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings when Huang visited South Korea, represents one of Nvidia's largest sovereign AI infrastructure deals in Asia. Bae indicated that Nvidia and South Korea will also continue joint projects, including linking Korean-made AI chips with Nvidia's platform, building AI computing infrastructure, and joint research and talent development in physical AI.
"Nvidia has confirmed it would go ahead with its previously announced pledge to supply 260,000 advanced graphics processing units to South Korea," Bae said in the post. The minister's statement did not elaborate on the terms of the confirmation or the timeline for delivery.
The resignation of Jensen Huang, who co-founded Nvidia in 1993 and built it into the world's most valuable semiconductor company, has raised questions about the continuity of the firm's international partnerships. Huang's departure marks a rare leadership transition at a company whose strategy has been closely tied to his personal advocacy for accelerated computing and AI development. Nvidia has not publicly named a successor or detailed the circumstances of the resignation. Inside AI could not independently verify the reasons behind Huang's departure.
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The South Korean deal is part of a broader wave of sovereign AI investments across Asia. Countries including Japan, India, and Singapore have pursued similar agreements to secure GPU capacity for national AI initiatives. South Korea's 260,000-GPU pledge is significant in scale, though it remains unclear how much of the total has already been delivered or whether the agreement includes binding delivery schedules.
Bae's announcement comes amid growing competition in the AI chip market. AMD and Intel have ramped up their own AI accelerator offerings, while Korean firms such as Naver and Kakao have invested in domestic AI chip development. The joint project to link Korean-made AI chips with Nvidia's platform could reduce reliance on a single supplier, though details remain sparse.
The physical AI research component of the agreement aligns with South Korea's broader push into robotics and autonomous systems. The government has earmarked funding for AI talent development, and Nvidia's involvement could accelerate access to specialized training and hardware. However, the resignation of Huang introduces uncertainty about the personal relationships and strategic priorities that underpinned the original deal.
Nvidia's stock has been volatile since the resignation announcement. Analysts have noted that while the company's product roadmap and customer contracts are likely to remain intact, the loss of a high-profile CEO could affect investor confidence and the firm's ability to negotiate future sovereign agreements. The South Korean government's swift public confirmation appears designed to reassure markets and domestic stakeholders.
The original agreement was reached at the APEC meetings last year, where Huang met with South Korean officials and business leaders. At the time, the deal was framed as a cornerstone of South Korea's ambition to become a global AI hub. The 260,000 GPUs are expected to support AI research, cloud computing, and industrial applications across sectors including manufacturing and healthcare.
Bae's post did not address whether the resignation would affect the timeline for GPU deliveries or the scope of the joint projects. Nvidia has not issued a separate statement on the South Korean commitment. The company's press office did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publication.
The confirmation from Seoul suggests that Nvidia's contractual obligations may survive leadership changes, at least in the short term. However, the long-term durability of such pledges often depends on the priorities of incoming management. South Korean officials have not indicated whether they have sought additional assurances from Nvidia's board or interim leadership.
For now, the minister's statement provides a measure of certainty for South Korean AI firms and research institutions that have been planning around the GPU allocation. The joint projects on chip integration and physical AI research are expected to continue, though their pace may depend on Nvidia's internal reorganization.
Nvidia's resignation shock comes at a sensitive time for the global AI supply chain. Demand for advanced GPUs continues to outstrip supply, and governments are competing for limited allocations. South Korea's ability to secure and retain its 260,000-unit commitment could influence its position in the regional AI race.
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