Global Companies in Korea — 2026-09-01
American fast-casual brand Chipotle kicked off its Korean market entry by opening its first Asian store in Gangnam on September 1. Meanwhile, fueled by expanded facility investments from Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, global semiconductor equipment giants like Lam Research and ASML are significantly ramping up technical hiring in Korea. Additionally, active moves to improve the foreign investment ecosystem are underway, including financial holding companies pouring 1 trillion KRW into venture secondary investments.
Global Companies in Korea — 2026-09-01
Top developments
Chipotle Mexican Grill
American dining brand Chipotle officially opened its first Asian store, "Chipotle Gangnam," in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on September 1. It established a new domestic supply chain through a partnership with Samlip and introduced localized operational methods, such as eliminating extra charges for basic toppings. This is evaluated as a crucial test to gauge the successful settlement of the American-style fast-casual model in the Korean market.
Semiconductor Equipment Foreign-Invested Companies (Lam Research, TEL, ASML, etc.)
Following the expansion of facility investments by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, hiring in Korea by major overseas semiconductor equipment companies such as Lam Research, Tokyo Electron (TEL), and ASML is surging. Notably, ASML has started recruiting personnel on a triple-digit scale, while AMAT is pursuing the construction of a research facility. This is an indicator showing that Korea's standing within the global semiconductor supply chain is strengthening.
Amuse
K-beauty brand Amuse is entering 85 Nordstrom stores and 611 Target stores in the U.S. next month, securing a total of 696 stores. Through this, 68 products will be sold via Target Beauty Studios and other outlets, accelerating the penetration of small and medium-sized Korean beauty brands into the North American market.
Deals, expansion & investment
Korea Financial Investment Association Promotes Venture Secondary Market Activation
The Korea Financial Investment Association (KOFIA) announced on August 31 that it will push for approximately 1 trillion KRW in venture secondary (intermediate recovery) investments over the next three years. The goal is to induce foreign capital participation in the domestic venture ecosystem by creating a smooth exit environment for venture companies in cooperation with the securities industry.
Korea Venture Investment Acquires Singapore Asset Management License
Korea Venture Investment (KVIC) has acquired a Singapore asset management license, which will accelerate the formation of its planned 300 million USD offshore global fund-of-funds. This is a move to expand the global network of domestic venture capital.
Regulation & market context
Growing Uncertainty in Investments in the U.S.
According to a Maeil Business Newspaper report, uncertainty surrounding the execution of investments in the U.S. is growing as the U.S. side demanded a 25% increase in costs for the first project, a Texas combined-cycle power plant. Concerns have been raised that the possibility of exceeding the annual investment limit (20 billion USD) combined with the passive attitude of the U.S. side may make revisions to Korean companies' U.S. investment plans inevitable.
On the radar
- Global Corporate Tax and Regulation Issues: Attention is focused on the status of corporate tax payments and regulatory responses in Korea by major global companies such as Apple, Temu (WhaleCo Korea), and AWS.
- LF Dunst Fashion Week Debut: Dunst, a casual brand under LF subsidiary Citydots, held its first runway show at Seoul Fashion Week on September 1, unveiling its 2026 FW collection.
By the numbers
- 696 stores: The number of Nordstrom and Target stores secured by Amuse upon its entry into the U.S.
- 1 trillion KRW: The scale of venture secondary investments to be deployed by the Korea Financial Investment Association over the next three years.
- 300 million USD: The scale of the offshore global fund-of-funds planned for formation by Korea Venture Investment.
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.
Powered by
