Jay Y. Lee, the executive chairman of Samsung Electronics, departed for the United Arab Emirates on Sunday as South Korea and the U.A.E. move to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors and other strategic technologies.
Mr. Lee is expected to join top Korean executives at the Korea–U.A.E. Business Roundtable on Nov. 19, a gathering that follows a summit between President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea and President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the U.A.E. The two leaders have emphasized that their partnership—once centered on energy and defense—is increasingly shifting toward digital infrastructure and next-generation technologies.
Samsung did not disclose Mr. Lee’s schedule, but people familiar with the trip say he is likely to meet with senior Emirati officials to discuss expanding collaboration in A.I. research, chip manufacturing and advanced computing systems. The U.A.E. has been positioning itself as a regional hub for emerging technologies, and its sovereign funds have stepped up investment in semiconductor and A.I.-related projects.
The trip also underscores Mr. Lee’s long-standing ties with the Emirati leadership. Since 2019, when President Mohamed—then crown prince—toured Samsung’s semiconductor complex in Hwaseong, the two have maintained a personal rapport. Samsung affiliates have played visible roles in the U.A.E.’s development projects, from work on the Burj Khalifa to refinery and engineering contracts in Abu Dhabi.
Other major Korean conglomerates, including Hyundai Motor Group, SK, LG and Hanwha, are also sending senior executives to the roundtable. Their agenda is expected to include A.I. applications in manufacturing, clean-energy technologies and possible joint investments in digital infrastructure.
For Samsung, the U.A.E. represents both a strategic market and a potential source of long-term capital as the company doubles down on advanced chipmaking and A.I. systems. Mr. Lee has described the Middle East as a “treasure trove of future-growth opportunities,” and Seoul’s closer alignment with Abu Dhabi comes at a moment when global supply chains are being reshaped by technological competition between the United States and China.
The roundtable on Monday will offer one of the clearest signals yet of how South Korea’s largest companies plan to position themselves in a region seeking to accelerate its shift toward high-technology industries.
Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Jay Y. Lee departed for the United Arab Emirates on Sunday to attend the Korea–UAE Business Roundtable (BRT) on Nov. 19, an event expected to focus on deepening cooperation in artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies.
Lee arrived at the Seoul Gimpo Business Aviation Center on Sunday evening before boarding his flight to the UAE. Industry officials say he is likely to hold discussions with senior UAE leadership on expanding collaboration in next-generation technologies, including AI, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure.
The upcoming BRT takes place a day after a summit between South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two leaders met briefly last month during the APEC Summit in South Korea, where they agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation not only in defense, energy, and investment but also in cutting-edge technologies.
Major Korean conglomerates — including Samsung, SK, Hyundai Motor Group, LG Electronics, Hanwha, and HD Hyundai — are expected to use the BRT to explore concrete partnership opportunities with UAE entities across AI, advanced manufacturing, and emerging industries.
Lee has maintained close ties with UAE leadership for years. Shortly after becoming Samsung chairman in 2022, he visited the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant site in Abu Dhabi, signaling the strategic importance he places on the Middle East. Samsung affiliates have long-standing partnerships in the UAE, including the Burj Khalifa project led by Samsung C&T and various refining and engineering projects handled by Samsung Engineering.
Lee has previously called the Middle East “a treasure trove filled with opportunities for future growth and breakthrough technologies.” Since meeting then-Crown Prince Mohamed in 2019, he has cultivated a consistent personal rapport with the UAE leader. During Mohamed’s 2019 visit to South Korea, he toured Samsung’s semiconductor facility in Hwaseong with Lee and discussed cooperation in 5G, semiconductors, and AI.
The two also met again during Mohamed’s state visit to Seoul in May of last year.
This week’s BRT will also bring together other top Korean executives, including Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung, Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan, and LG Electronics CEO Cho Joo-wan. SK Group will be represented by Yoo Young-sang, head of the SK Supex Council’s AI Committee, standing in for SK Chairman Chey Tae-won.
