Hyundai Motor Group to invest 9T won in Saemangeum, S. Korea

Hyundai Motor Group to invest 9T won in Saemangeum, S. Korea

Hyundai Motor Group to Invest 10 Trillion Won in Saemangeum, South Korea

Hyundai Motor Group is set to announce a major investment of 10 trillion won ($8.5 billion) in South Korea's Saemangeum area on the country's west coast, according to multiple sources. The initiative, first reported by Chosun.com and FuelCellsWorks, will focus on developing a robot factory, data center, hydrogen infrastructure, and advanced facilities for artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics according to reports(https://fuelcellsworks.com/2026/02/23/news/hyundai-motor-group-invests-10-trillion-won-in-saemangeum-ai-hydrogen-robotics).

The investment aligns with South Korea's broader strategy to strengthen its position in next-generation technologies. Government officials and Hyundai representatives are expected to sign a preliminary agreement on the project as early as this week, Reuters reported, citing unnamed sources familiar with the plans. The Saemangeum region, a designated special economic zone, has long been a target for large-scale industrial development due to its strategic location and existing infrastructure.

Hyundai's investment will prioritize hydrogen energy systems, a sector in which the automaker has already established expertise through its fuel cell vehicle production and hydrogen refueling station networks. The company also plans to expand its robotics division, which has previously unveiled humanoid and industrial robots, and to establish a data center to support AI research and development.

While Hyundai Motor Group has not officially commented on the specifics, a spokesperson declined to confirm details, stating the company would provide updates "in due course" according to Reuters. Analysts note that the project could position South Korea as a global hub for clean energy and advanced manufacturing, though challenges such as regulatory approvals and execution timelines remain unresolved.

The 10 trillion won commitment underscores Hyundai's long-term strategy to diversify beyond traditional automotive markets and into high-growth sectors like AI, robotics, and hydrogen energy. With South Korea's government actively supporting such initiatives, the Saemangeum project may serve as a model for future public-private partnerships(https://fuelcellsworks.com/2026/02/23/news/hyundai-motor-group-invests-10-trillion-won-in-saemangeum-ai-hydrogen-robotics).

This article is based on publicly available reports as of February 2026.