SK hynix spends 6.7 tln won on R&D last year amid HBM boom: data | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- SK hynix Inc. poured 6.7 trillion won (US$4.4 billion) into research and development (R&D) projects in 2025 amid soaring demand for high bandwidth memory (HBM) products in the wake of the global artificial intelligence (AI) boom, data showed Sunday. In 2025, SK hynix posted a record annual operating profit of 47.2 trillion won, beating its rival Samsung Electronics Co. for the first time. This file photo taken Jan. 29, 2026, shows the headquarters of SK hynix Inc. in Icheon, south of Seoul. (Yonhap) colin@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Samsung Electronics reclaims No. 1 spot in global DRAM market in Q4 SK hynix teams up with Sandisk to standardize next-generation memory solution SK hynix to invest additional 21.6 tln won in Yongin chip cluster Keywords #SK hynix #HBM Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones BTS to launch 'Arirang' pop-ups to mark new album release Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert Most Saved 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Lee says to swiftly introduce fuel price cap as Mideast crisis intensifies S. Korean PM meets Trump First lady attends exhibition on cultural products prev SK hynix spends 6.7 tln won on R&D last year amid HBM boom: data Next SK hynix spends 6.7 tln won on R&D last year amid HBM boom: data

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SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- SK hynix Inc. poured 6.7 trillion won (US$4.4 billion) into research and development (R&D) projects in 2025 amid soaring demand for high bandwidth memory (HBM) products in the wake of the global artificial intelligence (AI) boom, data showed Sunday.
The spending hike reflects the South Korean chipmaker's aggressive push to maintain its lead in the global artificial intelligence infrastructure market. The investment represents a 35 percent jump from the 4.9 trillion won recorded in 2024, according to the company's regulatory filing posted on the Financial Supervisory Service's system.
The company's increased R&D expenditures came amid record-breaking earnings driven by strong global demand for chips, especially from the AI infrastructure segment.
In 2025, SK hynix posted a record annual operating profit of 47.2 trillion won, beating its rival Samsung Electronics Co. for the first time. The operating profit represents more than a twofold jump from 2024.
Samsung Electronics, meanwhile, spent a record 37.7 trillion won on R&D activities in 2025.
SK hynix is expected to further strengthen its HBM business this year, likely renewing its record-breaking earnings.
In January, industry sources said SK hynix was picked to supply around two-thirds of the HBM4 chips needed for Nvidia Corp.'s Vera Rubin AI platform, although Samsung Electronics started the world's first commercial shipment of HBM4 last month.
This file photo taken Jan. 29, 2026, shows the headquarters of SK hynix Inc. in Icheon, south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)
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SK hynix spends 6.7 tln won on R&D last year amid HBM boom: data

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- The company's increased R&D expenditures came amid record-breaking earnings driven by strong global demand for chips, especially from the AI infrastructure segment.

### Areas for Consideration
- This file photo taken Jan. 29, 2026, shows the headquarters of SK hynix Inc. in Icheon, south of Seoul. (Yonhap) colin@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Samsung Electronics reclaims No. 1 spot in global DRAM market in Q4 SK hynix teams up with Sandisk to standardize next-generation memory solution SK hynix to invest additional 21.6 tln won in Yongin chip cluster Keywords #SK hynix #HBM Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones BTS to launch 'Arirang' pop-ups to mark new album release Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert Most Saved 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Lee says to swiftly introduce fuel price cap as Mideast crisis intensifies S.

### Implications
- The spending hike reflects the South Korean chipmaker's aggressive push to maintain its lead in the global artificial intelligence infrastructure market.
- This file photo taken Jan. 29, 2026, shows the headquarters of SK hynix Inc. in Icheon, south of Seoul. (Yonhap) colin@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Samsung Electronics reclaims No. 1 spot in global DRAM market in Q4 SK hynix teams up with Sandisk to standardize next-generation memory solution SK hynix to invest additional 21.6 tln won in Yongin chip cluster Keywords #SK hynix #HBM Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones BTS to launch 'Arirang' pop-ups to mark new album release Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert Most Saved 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Lee says to swiftly introduce fuel price cap as Mideast crisis intensifies S.
- Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills Lee urges caution over reform measures to minimize side effects Most Viewed All Categories (2nd LD) N.
- Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills (LEAD) N.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers korea, hynix, won topics. Notable strengths include discussion of korea. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 549.