Korean Companies in Southeast Asia — 2026-09-29
Samsung Electro-Mechanics approved a $1.84 billion expansion of its semiconductor substrate operations in Vietnam, while Bloomberg reports Korean financial firms are actively pursuing overseas M&A, with Southeast Asia a key target. In Indonesia, a new Korean manufacturing plant was officially inaugurated by Investment Minister Rosan, ready to begin exports to multiple countries.
Korean Companies in Southeast Asia — 2026-09-29
Top developments
Samsung Electro-Mechanics adds $1.84 billion in Vietnam semiconductors
On September 28, 2026, Samsung Electro-Mechanics' board approved a $1.84 billion investment to expand its semiconductor substrate plant through its Vietnamese subsidiary. The move reinforces Vietnam's role in Samsung's global electronics production chain and deepens the Bac Ninh/Thai Nguyen electronics corridor.
Korean financial firms chase overseas M&A, with Southeast Asia in focus
Bloomberg reported on September 28, 2026 that South Korean banks and insurers are hunting for bold overseas acquisitions to fuel growth — a broader outward turn for an industry that previously stayed home while Samsung and Hyundai built global businesses. This signals more Korean financial capital flowing into Southeast Asian banking and fintech assets.
KoreanAutomaker exports rise as Hyundai Thanh Cong ships Vietnamese-built vehicles
The Nation reported (September 26) that Vietnamese automakers including VinFast and Hyundai Thanh Cong (Hyundai JV) are expanding shipments of Vietnamese-built vehicles beyond ASEAN to global markets. Hyundai's Vietnam production base increasingly functions as an export hub, warming up Korean manufacturing's footprint in the country.
Korean chemical maker inaugurates Indonesia export plant
Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani officially inaugurated Korean chemical manufacturer Dongsung Chemical's Indonesian plant, which is ready to export to various countries. Chairman Baek Jeong-ho said the investment is part of the company's long-term growth strategy in Indonesia, not only a capacity increase.
Korea–Indonesia industrial ties highlighted on Kompas TV
Kompas TV aired analysis (September 28) that Indonesia–Korea cooperation has "upgraded" from factory-building to higher-value sectors including EVs and defense (KF-21). Hyundai's Indonesia investment that later extended into batteries, plus EcoPro's reported over $1 billion of Indonesian investment, were cited as examples of this deepening ecosystem.
Deals, expansion & investment
- Samsung Electro-Mechanics: $1.84 billion board-approved expansion of Vietnamese semiconductor substrate production, approved September 28, 2026.
- Korean financial groups: active pursuit of overseas M&A to drive growth, per Bloomberg (September 28, 2026).
- Dongsung Chemical: new Indonesian plant inaugurated by Investment Minister Rosan, positioned for multi-country exports.
Regulation & market context
- Korea Vietnam–Korean media reported (September 28) that a Korean investor is planning a ~$5 billion agro-processing plant in Vietnam, with capacity of around 20 tons of kernels per day, to be implemented from September 2026 to 2029, processing a product for which Vietnam is the world's top exporter.
- Bloomberg's reporting on outbound Korean financial M&A reflects loosened appetite for cross-border acquisitions under current regulatory environment.
On the radar
- A Vietnamese report (September 22) said a Korean semiconductor group is liquidating its Vietnam subsidiary, which had lost money for three years before returning to profit in H1 2026 — worth tracking as Korean firms consolidate smaller Vietnam presences.
- FPT Corporation disclosed that a Korean partner has proposed a joint venture for an automotive chip plant following its annual general meeting.
- A key Samsung Vietnam input supplier based at Yen Phong Industrial Park (Bac Ninh) announced new operational plans — relevant to Korean supply-chain localization.
- VinFast-related corporate restructuring: a VND136.668 trillion-asset entity approved merger into VinFast on September 26 — watch for implications on its Korean suppliers.
By the numbers
- $1.84 billion — Samsung Electro-Mechanics' newly approved semiconductor investment in Vietnam
- ~$5 billion — planned Korean agro-processing investment in Vietnam (2026–2029)
- 20 tons/day — planned kernel processing capacity of the Korean agro plant in Vietnam
- VND136.668 trillion (~$5.2 billion) — asset value of company merging into VinFast
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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