South Korean chip industry worried Iran crisis to affect Middle East data center plans

South Korea's chip industry has raised concerns that a prolonged Iranian crisis may deal a setback to plans by big tech firms to build AI data centres in the Middle East, thus weighing on strong chip demand, ruling party lawmaker Kim Young-bae said on Thursday.

The chip industry also raised concerns that the Iran crisis could disrupt supplies of some key chip-making materials like helium from the Middle East, Kim said.

Kim made the comment after meeting with executives from companies such as Samsung Electronics 005930.KS and business and trade groups.

-Heejin Kim/Reuters