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

By Heejin Kim

SEOUL, March 5 (Reuters) - 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 and business and trade groups.

(Reporting by Heejin ​Kim, ‌Hyunjoo Jin and Joyce LeeEditing ​by Ed Davies and ​Christian Schmollinger)