But Cheong Wa Dae on Tuesday declined to confirm whether Lee would meet with them, saying it does not comment on the president's private schedule.
Such meetings come as Lee has stepped up cooperation with business leaders since outlining his vision for South Korea to become a key global hub for artificial intelligence (AI)-related industries during his visit to San Francisco last month, as part of his itinerary before his South American tour.
The closer engagement is seen as part of efforts to ensure the smooth implementation of the government's mega projects for AI and semiconductors.
The projects include the creation of a semiconductor cluster in the country's southwestern region including Gwangju, the development of physical AI and the expansion of infrastructure for AI data centers, with Samsung and SK pledging to invest more than 4,000 trillion won (US$2.89 trillion)
Lee's series of private meetings appear intended to encourage more open and candid discussions. A ruling party official said the meetings are aimed at giving Lee a chance to hear directly from business leaders about the challenges they face and their requests regarding the mega projects.
The meetings also come as Washington continues to pressure South Korean semiconductor companies to expand their investment in the U.S.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick directly mentioned Samsung Electronics and SK hynix at an event at Micron's production facility in July, saying the U.S. was seeking to expand semiconductor manufacturing facilities and had held discussions with the two South Korean chipmakers.
Samsung is already investing more than $37 billion to build a semiconductor foundry in Taylor, Texas, while SK hynix is investing some $3.87 billion in a semiconductor packaging facility in Indiana. Additional large-scale investment in U.S. memory chip production could put further financial pressure on the companies, which have also pledged substantial investments in the planned semiconductor cluster here.
A ruling party official said the recent U.S. pressure on South Korean companies may have prompted the meetings, adding that business leaders may want to convey their concerns directly to the president as demands from the U.S. become increasingly burdensome.
AJP Takeaways
• President Lee Jae Myung is reportedly arranging private meetings with Samsung Group Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun in the week of Aug. 25, 2026, following a private dinner with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won the previous week.
• Cheong Wa Dae declined to confirm the meetings on Aug. 25, 2026, saying it does not comment on the president's private schedule.
• The meetings are expected to support the implementation of the South Korean government's AI and semiconductor mega projects, including a semiconductor cluster in the southwestern region, physical AI development and AI data center infrastructure.
• Samsung Electronics and SK hynix have pledged substantial investments in South Korea, while Samsung is investing more than US$37 billion in a semiconductor foundry in Taylor, Texas, and SK hynix is investing about US$3.87 billion in a semiconductor packaging facility in Indiana.
• The private meetings could give President Lee Jae Myung an opportunity to hear directly from business leaders about challenges facing their companies, including growing pressure from the United States to expand semiconductor investment in the U.S.
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