Global Companies in Korea — 2026-09-14
As the South Korean government prepares to announce its first outbound investment project under the strategic investment agreement with the United States, global investment interest is heavily focusing on data centers and AI infrastructure in Korea. Meanwhile, non-US AI firms from countries like France and Canada are actively expanding their local footprints, further solidifying Korea's status as a global tech hub.
Global Companies in Korea — 2026-09-14
<!-- headline -->US Investment Project Imminent as Global AI and Data Centers Rush to Korea
Top developments
South Korea Set to Announce First US Investment Project
Following a three-day trip to New York by Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan, South Korea is on the verge of unveiling its first outbound investment project under the South Korea-US Strategic Investment Program. This marks a practical step in implementing the Korea-US Strategic Investment Act agreed upon during bilateral tariff negotiations, serving as a critical signal for future outbound investment flows and global supply chain restructuring by Korean companies.
French and Canadian AI Firms Accelerate Expansion in Korea
Beyond the US and China, AI companies from various nations, including France and Canada, are setting their sights on the Korean market and expanding their local presence. Following Canada's Cohere, French AI firms are also strengthening their entry and cooperation in Korea, signaling the country's emergence as a central hub for building core partnerships in the global AI ecosystem.
MVP Ventures Visits Korea to Strengthen Ties with Local VC Ecosystem
Western Moyer, Managing Partner at early-stage venture capital firm MVP Ventures, visited South Korea to bolster cooperation with the local investment community. MVP Ventures boasts a high unicorn investment success rate of 14% and shared its investment strategy centered on the convergence of AI, hardware, and software. This visit is expected to boost global capital's accessibility to Korea's startup ecosystem.
Korea Investment & Securities CEO: "Wall Street Has Its Eyes on Korean Data Centers"
Kim Sung-hwan, CEO of Korea Investment & Securities, stated that global investors are showing the greatest interest in Korean data centers. Reflecting Wall Street's strong appetite, he hinted that the firm is reviewing plans to expand dividend policies, highlighting how Korea's data center infrastructure is being recognized as a key asset for attracting global capital.
Deals, expansion & investment
- Global Dining Brands Land in Korea: Global dining brands—including Japan's Moheji and I'm Donut, US-based Chipotle, and China's Cha Cha—are opening stores one after another in prime commercial districts of Seoul such as Gangnam, Seongsu, and Jongno, ramping up their push into the Korean consumer market.
- OnTheList Opens Flagship Permanent Store in Cheongdam-dong: Global flash sale platform OnTheList has opened its fifth worldwide and first permanent store in Korea in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul. This move is seen as a strategy to expand its online-centric business model into offline spaces, reinforcing brand collaborations and omni-channel customer experiences.
Regulation & market context
- Review of Extended Stock Trading Hours: The South Korean government is considering extending stock trading hours to attract more global investors. This comes as the market rallies—bolstered by this year's AI boom, which sent the KOSPI surging 64%—in an effort to enhance investment accessibility in line with global standards.
On the radar
- Details of Korea-US Investment Project Expected Soon: The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is set to soon reveal the specific target industries and financial scale of its first US investment project.
- Rise in Global Big Tech Data Center Hires: Job platforms like Indeed show over 200 open positions for data center engineers related to global big tech firms like AWS, showing that infrastructure investments in Korea are directly translating into job creation.
By the numbers
- 14% Unicorn Success Rate for MVP Ventures: Visiting early-stage investor MVP Ventures maintains a high unicorn creation rate of 14% in its portfolio.
- 64% KOSPI Gain in 2026: Propelled by the AI craze, the KOSPI index has jumped 64% since the beginning of the year, serving as a major backdrop for heightened global investor interest in the Korean market.
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
