Companies asked for two more fabs before anyone answered the power question.
Korea's revised 2040 forecast puts peak demand from advanced industry and AI data centers at 36.2 to 36.5 gigawatts, up 28.5 gigawatts from the previous estimate, with the two sectors accounting for close to 40% of national consumption. Confirmed new nuclear capacity totals only 8.75 gigawatts and arrives mostly after the mid-2030s, while new fabs begin operating around 2030, pushing the industry toward LNG cogeneration as a bridge. Separately, SK Hynix pledged to cancel 40 trillion won of shares within three months, lifting the KOSPI 5.89%. Washington is also weighing lower Canadian steel and auto tariffs that would leave Korean steel at a disadvantage.
Sources:
Companies Themselves Requested More Fabs: More Nuclear and LNG Needed to Cover Power Demand — Seoul Economic Daily, August 20, 2026
SK Hynix's Record Shareholder Return Sends the KOSPI Surging — Seoul Economic Daily, August 20, 2026
US Considers Cutting Canadian Steel Tariffs to 25% and Autos to 15% — Seoul Economic Daily, August 20, 2026
Google Ties Up With Marvell on AI Chips, Warrants Worth Up to 17 Trillion Won — Seoul Economic Daily, August 20, 2026
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Tags:
#KoreaBusiness #PowerDemand #Semiconductors #DataCenters #SKHynix #Tariffs #KOSPI #AIPRISM #SeoulEconomicDaily #WANIFRA
