Korean AI Services: HyperCLOVA X, Kakao, SKT, Exaone — 2026-10-30
Nvidia is set to finalize a $1 billion investment in Naver this week, making it the portal giant’s third-largest shareholder. Simultaneously, Naver secured $9 billion in financing from Brookfield to build Nvidia-backed AI factories, marking a major pivot toward infrastructure. Meanwhile, the government confirmed the continuation of the sovereign AI foundation model project despite earlier confusion, with new consortium members joining the race.
Korean AI Services: HyperCLOVA X, Kakao, SKT, Exaone — 2026-10-30
Nvidia to Become NAVER's No. 3 Shareholder With $1 Billion Investment
Nvidia is scheduled to fulfill its $1 billion investment in Naver next Friday, according to a regulatory filing by the portal giant on Friday, October 30, 2026. This move will make Nvidia the third-largest shareholder in Naver, accelerating the company's global AI factory project in partnership with Brookfield. The investment underscores the deepening ties between the US chipmaker and South Korea’s leading tech platform as they race to build sovereign AI infrastructure.
Naver Secures $9 Billion Brookfield Deal for AI Factories
Naver Corp. has secured backing from Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. for a $9 billion computing infrastructure buildout, clearing a significant financing hurdle for its AI expansion. This deal supports Naver’s pivot toward AI infrastructure, positioning it to compete more aggressively against global players and offset threats to its search and e-commerce businesses. The funding is critical for Naver to maintain its lead in the domestic AI services market, including HyperCLOVA X.
Webcash Joins LG AI Research Consortium for Financial AI
Webcash, a fintech company, announced on October 28, 2026, that it has joined the LG AI Research consortium in the "Independent AI Foundation Model" project. The company will develop and demonstrate financial business-specialized AI agents using LG’s Exaone model. This addition highlights the growing industrial adoption of LG’s sovereign AI capabilities, particularly in the financial sector, as part of the government’s broader push to integrate AI into key industries.
Local View
Local media outlets like The Korea Times and Seoul Economic Daily are highlighting the strategic importance of Nvidia’s investment in Naver, framing it as a validation of South Korea’s sovereign AI efforts. Korea JoongAng Daily notes that this investment fuels Naver’s pivot to AI factories amid intensifying search competition, suggesting a shift in Naver’s core business strategy.
Context & Numbers
- $1 Billion: Nvidia’s investment amount in Naver, making it the third-largest shareholder.
- $9 Billion: The total value of the computing infrastructure buildout deal between Naver and Brookfield.
- 24.7 Million: ChatGPT’s monthly active users in South Korea as of the latest survey, maintaining its top position. Note: This data is from a survey released in October 2026, providing context for the competitive landscape.
On the radar
- Nvidia Investment Closure: The $1 billion investment by Nvidia in Naver is expected to be finalized next Friday, October 30, 2026.
- Sovereign AI Model Selection: The government is proceeding with plans to select two elite teams for the Independent AI Foundation Model project, with the third evaluation upcoming. Note: While the announcement was in early October, the selection process remains active.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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