Korean Companies in Brazil & LatAm — 2026-09-29

Top developments

Samsung invests US$1 billion in Helix AI infrastructure platform

Samsung Electronics announced a US$1 billion investment in Helix Digital Infrastructure, a company backed by Nvidia and KKR, on September 29, 2026. The contribution brings total capital raised by Helix to over US$11 billion, earmarked for data center development, energy systems, and transmission infrastructure across Latin America. This positions Samsung as a major player in the region's AI infrastructure buildout.

1 sources

cnnbrasil.com.br

cnnbrasil.com.br

Nine Korean tech firms launch Brazil market entry initiatives

Nine Korean companies specializing in AI, drones, energy storage devices (ESS), and smart logistics began formal market entry in Brazil as of September 29, 2026. The firms are conducting pilot demonstrations and pitching business models to local investors and companies, marking a concerted push to capture opportunities in Brazil's rapidly growing tech sector.

IO Entertainment seals Brazil content partnership at Rio Market

IO Entertainment Group, a Korean content producer, signed a business agreement with Brazilian production company Total Entertainment at RioMarket in Rio de Janeiro on September 29. The deal capitalizes on Brazil's expanding audiovisual sector and government support for content production, enabling IO to tap Latin America's second-largest media market.

Korea-Mexico investment treaty revision completed

South Korea and Mexico concluded seven years of negotiations to revise their bilateral investment protection treaty as of September 25, 2026, expanding legal safeguards for investors in both countries. The update removes barriers to future Korean conglomerate expansions in Mexico and vice versa.

Korea-Mexico business ties expand into AI, aerospace, energy

At a Korea-Mexico business forum (September 24–27, 2026), the two nations agreed to deepen cooperation beyond automotive and assembly manufacturing into advanced semiconductors, AI infrastructure, aerospace, and renewable energy. CJ Group Chairman Chey Tae-won called for joint innovation in future industries. Mexico is now South Korea's leading trade partner in Latin America, with over US$12 billion in Korean investment already in place.

K-beauty brands expand Mexico presence despite tariff pressure

Amorepacific and LG Household & Health Care are expanding distribution in Mexico despite cosmetics import tariffs of approximately 25%, betting on K-beauty momentum in North America spilling southward. Market entry remains a priority even as trade friction persists.

Deals, expansion & investment

Samsung's Helix investment marks the largest single Korean tech allocation to LatAm AI infrastructure. The US$11+ billion total raised by Helix will fund next-generation data centers and smart grid tech across the region.

Korea-Mexico revised BIT strengthens legal certainty for Korean manufacturers already operating in-country and signals readiness for fresh greenfield investment in tech and aerospace.

IO Entertainment-Total Entertainment MOU opens a direct gateway for Korean content licensing, co-production, and distribution across Brazil and wider Latin America, leveraging local production capacity.

Regulation & market context

South Korea and Mexico completed a landmark revision of their bilateral investment treaty after seven years of talks, effective September 25, 2026. The update broadens investor protections and removes procedural barriers, creating a more favorable environment for Korean conglomerates to expand into aerospace, semiconductors, and energy.

Brazil's government continues actively courting Korean tech investment. The nine-company pilot initiative reflects Brazil's push to diversify away from US tariff exposure and deepen technology partnerships with non-Western bloc nations.

Mexico remains the primary Korean manufacturing hub in Latin America. Trade discussions now focus on advancing semiconductors and aerospace rather than traditional automotive assembly.

On the radar

• Samsung Q3 earnings watch: Market upgrades for Samsung and SK Hynix suggest strong semiconductor recovery; Latin America infrastructure bets may feature prominently in next earnings call (expected early October).

• Brazil-Korea FTA momentum: Brazil and Korea activated a joint working group to accelerate Mercosul-Korea free-trade negotiations; completion target remains end-2026. Watch for December announcements.

• IO Entertainment growth: If Rio Market deal generates early revenue wins, expect IO to announce a second or third content partnership in LatAm by Q1 2027.

• K-beauty tariff strategy: Amorepacific and LG H&H are testing localized production or nearshoring from Mexico to dodge US tariffs; announcements on manufacturing facilities could come by year-end.

By the numbers

• US$1 billion — Samsung's direct investment in Helix Digital Infrastructure for LatAm AI and data center expansion

• US$11+ billion — Total capital mobilized by Helix Digital Infrastructure platform (including Samsung's US$1B commitment) for regional tech infrastructure

• US$12 billion — Estimated Korean investment already deployed in Mexico, making it South Korea's top LatAm trade partner

• 9 firms — Number of Korean advanced-tech companies launching simultaneous pilot projects and market-entry initiatives in Brazil (AI, drones, ESS, smart logistics)