South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix has officially surpassed tech giant Samsung Electronics to claim the top spot as the most valuable corporation in South Korea. Reuters reports that the company, which teetered on the brink of bankruptcy two decades ago, has become one of the primary beneficiaries of the global AI boom. A surge in investor interest sent SK Hynix shares up more than 340% in 2026, driving the chipmaker’s market capitalization to an unprecedented 2,080.4 trillion won (approximately $1.35 trillion).

Industry analysts underscore that widespread AI integration has fundamentally reshaped the global semiconductor landscape. Specialized memory chips, long regarded by the market as a commodity with relatively low margins, have become critical components of high‑tech infrastructure. These high‑bandwidth advanced solutions provide the computing power and stability required by complex neural‑network applications, including popular chatbots like ChatGPT and other next‑generation generative AI models — a shift that has fueled the dramatic rise in SK Hynix’s value.

The change in domestic top performers came at a moment when the former favorite’s position appeared secure. In early June, Samsung Electronics also reported strong market performance and, for the first time in its history, ranked among the global top‑10 companies by market capitalization. Nevertheless, SK Hynix’s narrower scope and timely focus on cutting‑edge memory for AI servers enabled it to deliver far more impressive momentum and displace its old-established rival at the top of the national rankings, marking a historic shift in the country’s tech sector.