Semiconductors, AI dominate VIP tea talk at Herald Business Forum 2026

The Herald Business Forum 2026, marking its 10th edition, drew more than 600 attendees Tuesday, including business leaders from home and abroad, government officials and members of the public. Ahead of the main program at the Dynasty Hall of the Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, prominent guests gathered for a VIP tea reception and exchanged views on pressing economic issues.

Among those present were Choi Jin-young, CEO of Herald Media Group; Sung Ki-hong, chief of public communications at Cheong Wa Dae; Park Sung-jun, chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party of Korea; Park Chung-kwon, chief spokesperson of the People Power Party; Son Kyung-shik, chairman of the Korea Enterprises Federation; Kim Chang-bum, vice chairman of the Korea Business Federation; Kim Jong-il, vice chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry; James Kim, chairman and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea; Philippe van Hooff, chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea; Park Hyun-nam, chairman of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Chung Eun-seung, adviser at Samsung Electronics; Hwang Chul-joo, chairman of Jusung Engineering; and Lee Jae-wook, director of the AI Institute at Seoul National University.

Semiconductors and AI — the forum's central themes — dominated the conversation. Guests also focused on the third joint public-private mega-project review meeting, which President Lee Jae Myung was set to chair that afternoon.

Business leaders called on the political establishment to back the mega-project initiative, and government representatives pledged to build a semiconductor ecosystem while improving living conditions — including education, housing and healthcare — to achieve balanced regional development. "We are working on a systematic plan to help semiconductor and AI professionals relocate to regional areas," Sung said. "We will create a livable ecosystem, including in education."

Intensifying global competition in the semiconductor industry also drew considerable discussion. Hwang and Lee Jae-wook spoke about China's drive for semiconductor self-reliance. "Knowledge, people and technology are what matter — and China has all three," Hwang said, expressing concern that China's push for semiconductor independence was advancing rapidly.

Chung, who chairs the semiconductor strategy committee for the South Jeolla Province-Gwangju integrated special city, seized the moment to pitch business leaders on the region's potential. "Semiconductor prices are skyrocketing and equipment supply shortages are emerging," he said, urging companies to join in building a new industrial ecosystem in the area.

When Son asked whether the semiconductor boom would last, Chung said there would be some ups and downs, but that semiconductors had become indispensable to the AI industry. "Even if things slow briefly, the sector will return to a growth trajectory," he said. Lee then smiled and remarked that he could not use his AI lecture materials for even a year before having to update them — a sign, he said, of how rapidly AI technology is evolving.

Global cooperation was also on the agenda. Philippe van Hooff said after his conversations with guests that fostering dialogue could create business opportunities for Korean companies in Europe and for European companies in Korea. "I am engaging with many people to broaden regulatory and business dialogue and cooperation," he said.

IL Robotics' humanoid robot Y1 Ultra welcomed attendees at the venue. The Y1 Ultra combines hardware from Agibot — the world's leading humanoid robot mass producer — with software developed by IL Robotics, and can display more than 30 facial expressions to interact with people across different situations.

As guests mingled in the lobby, the Y1 Ultra walked between tables and greeted attendees. The compact robot, standing 131 centimeters tall, extended its hand for a handshake, drawing laughter and a flurry of camera clicks. Guests posed for photos with the humanoid — some raising their arms together to form a heart shape, others draping an arm around its shoulder. One attendee high-fived the robot and said, "Nice to meet you."

Before the opening remarks, two Y1 Ultra units took the stage and performed a dance routine to upbeat music. Moving in unison — arms outstretched, steps precisely matched — the pair held the audience's attention throughout. When the crisp two-minute, 30-second performance ended, the crowd broke into applause.