South Korean president toasts AI ties with tech titans over fish and chips

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung fostered tech ties with global leaders over a casual dinner in San Francisco, emphasizing shared meals as a symbol of family.

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We are family

The gathering at The Ramp restaurant included executives like Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Microsoft's Lani Borkar, alongside South Korean industrial leaders such as Samsung's Lee Jae-yong and SK Group's Chey Tae-won. The event aimed to replicate the rapport Huang built in Seoul over chimaek and Korean barbecue, this time with California fare like fish and chips.

Lee lightheartedly proposed a toast, asking guests to respond "family" to his call of "We are." Huang echoed the sentiment, replying, "We are family." The president also playfully rejected a deputy minister's offer to pay the bill, citing his public official status.

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In Korea, family is also described as ‘sikgu’, literally people who share meals. Not only in Korea but everywhere in the world, sharing a meal carries great meaning.

Amidst the informal atmosphere, the conversation touched upon South Korea's economic outlook. Lee projected per capita GDP nearing $40,000 and anticipated growth exceeding 3 percent in 2026. He credited the nation's business leaders for the projected rebound, with Samsung's Lee Jae-yong acknowledging Huang's role.

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Korea is so rich

As the dinner concluded, Lee reflected on the rapid pace of technological change, noting how much had transformed.

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That’s true, but he is still a public official