South Korean conglomerates unveil $195 billion of investment in industrial projects (updated)

SK Square

03/07/2026 07:58

Adds breakdown of investment

    SEOUL, July 3 (Reuters) - South Korean conglomerates SK Group, Hyundai Motor Group 005380.KS and Hanwha 000880.KS on Friday unveiled investment initiatives spanning robotics, manufacturing AI, self-driving mobility and space projects for the country's southeast. 
The business groups announced the decisions at an event announcing advanced industry initiatives for the country's southeastern Yeongnam region, the third mega project announcement this week attended by President Lee Jae Myung.
Hanwha Group, which has become a major defence manufacturer, will invest 55 trillion won ($36 billion) on satellites, space launch vehicles and AI data centres for defence and space sectors, Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan said.
Hyundai Motor Group will invest 42 trillion won over the next 10 years on self-driving mobility, incorporating AI in manufacturing, and next-generation aerospace production, Vice Chairman Chang Jae-hoon said.
Samsung Group will invest 19 trillion won in the city of Gumi to build humanoid robots, a new AI data centre and smartphone production, Samsung Electronics 005930.KS co-CEO TM Roh said.
A separate 16 trillion won is earmarked for Samsung SDI 006400.KS to build advanced battery production lines, 10 trillion won for Samsung Heavy Industries 010140.KS in vessel and marine infrastructure, and 15 trillion won by Samsung Electro-Mechanics 009150.KS in Busan.
SK Group will invest 140 trillion won to build AI data centres in the city of Ulsan.

    ($1 = 1,529.5000 won)
  

(Reporting by Jack Kim and Heekyong Yang; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Lincoln Feast)
((jack.kim@thomsonreuters.com; +822 6936 1455;))