'Korea needs business environment to match its world-class capabilities': AmCham chief

"We need a competitive investment environment that supports large-scale investment and innovation, backed by predictable regulations that meet global standards."

James Kim, president and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, said Tuesday at the Herald Business Forum 2026, held at the Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, that creating a business environment capable of supporting Korea's world-class capabilities was essential.

Kim said Korea had achieved a "transition to a leading economy" in many respects, citing Samsung Electronics and SK hynix as examples.

"Both companies joined the ranks of $1 trillion market capitalization companies this year," Kim said. "Of the 16 '$1 trillion companies' worldwide, only four are non-American — and two of them, half of that group, are Korean."

He went on to say that "Korea has companies the world values, technology the world needs, and a culture the world watches and follows," adding that AmCham sees the next challenge as translating Korea's global leadership into more investment, more research and development, and attracting more regional headquarters.

Kim said AmCham's 2026 Business Environment Survey showed Korea had slipped from second to third place as a preferred location for Asian regional headquarters, and called for improvements to Korea's regulatory environment.

He also called for stronger Korea-US cooperation to sustain Korea's leadership. "If we combine America's strengths in AI, software, research and capital with Korea's leadership in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, the two countries can strengthen critical supply chains, expand investment and accelerate the entry of new technologies into global markets," Kim said.

To that end, AmCham launched its AI Leadership Council earlier this year.

"We will bring the global industry's perspective into Korea's policy discussions and translate those discussions into tangible business outcomes," Kim said. "AmCham will work closely with the Korean government and business community to help make that a reality."