South Korea · Goldman Sachs · Samsung · Crypto Briefing
South Korea is sitting on one of the most paradoxical economic situations in the developed world
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The country entered “super-aged” status in 2024, meaning over 20% of its population is now 65 or older.
Key facts
- In June 2026, the South Korean government unveiled plans for nearly $1.2 trillion in public-private investments targeting semiconductor fabrication facilities and AI data centers
- Goldman Sachs projects what it calls an “AI-driven super surplus” for Korea’s current account, expected to exceed 10% of GDP in 2026
- The country entered “super-aged” status in 2024, meaning over 20% of its population is now 65 or older
- South Korea’s fertility rate is projected to fall to approximately 0.80 in 2025, making it the lowest in the world by a wide margin
Summary
The world's memory chip powerhouse is minting semiconductor millionaires while its demographic clock ticks toward a crisis that could undercut long-term growth. South Korea is sitting on one of the most paradoxical economic situations in the developed world. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix dominate the market for high-bandwidth memory chips, the silicon that makes large language models possible. Goldman Sachs projects what it calls an “AI-driven super surplus” for Korea’s current account, expected to exceed 10% of GDP in 2026.