By 2030, Korean chipmakers are projected to dominate AI memory (HBM), strengthen foundry/packaging, and gain traction in the stable analog/power IC market, boosting profitability and global influence.
Dec. 16, 2025 –
In part 1 of this two part series, we looked at the current state of global technology revolution happening with South Korea’s semiconductor industry. Here we look at the future of that sector, with projections looking out to 2030.
As the 2020s charge toward their close, the global semiconductor race is no longer about who leads today—it’s about who will dominate tomorrow. And if current momentum holds, South Korea’s chipmakers may not just be part of the future; they may define it.
In the first half of the decade, titans like Samsung Electronics and SK hynix launched bold initiatives—from AI memory innovation to foundry expansions and strategic acquisitions. These were not reactionary moves. They were the opening acts in a far larger play: a campaign to secure Korea's long-term influence in the global tech stack through 2030 and beyond.
But how might these investments reshape the global semiconductor landscape? And what kind of market—and margin—realities could emerge by the end of the decade?
Let’s follow the trajectory that now seems increasingly likely.
Memory’s Second Renaissance
As AI models grow larger, more capable, and more energy-hungry, the memory inside AI servers has gone from backstage utility to star performer. In this spotlight, SK hynix has emerged as the global HBM front-runner, outpacing competitors in volume, technology, and partnerships with AI hardware giants like NVIDIA.
By 2030, SK hynix is projected to command the majority of the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) market, solidifying Korea’s role as the indispensable supplier of AI fuel. With HBM4 on the horizon and HBM5 likely in development by decade's end, this segment may not only become Korea’s most profitable semiconductor niche—but one of the most profitable sectors in the entire industry.
Samsung, after stumbling slightly in early HBM generations, is rapidly regaining ground. Its roadmap includes vertically stacked HBM, advanced thermal packaging, and perhaps most notably, its acquisition of FläktGroup—a signal that Samsung aims to control not just the chip, but the environment it operates in. By integrating advanced cooling systems into AI data center infrastructure, Samsung isn’t just catching up—it’s potentially redefining the rules of the AI memory game.
Looking ahead, both companies are expected to drive Korea’s memory market share in DRAM to over 70% by 2030. And while NAND Flash remains more competitive, Korean firms are expected to modestly grow share here too, particularly in high-speed enterprise SSDs tailored for hyperscale AI and cloud computing.
Foundry: The Long March to Credibility
For years, Samsung has pursued a difficult but determined ascent in the foundry business. Competing with TSMC—an industry behemoth with unmatched ecosystem integration—has been an uphill climb. But with landmark deals, like its recent $16.5 billion partnership with Tesla to fabricate custom AI chips, the tide is starting to shift.