South Korean Chip Industry Warns Iran Crisis May Disrupt Supplies and AI Data Centre Plans

South Korea's chip industry is concerned that the ongoing Iran crisis may disrupt supplies of critical materials like helium from the Middle East, essential for semiconductor production. This disruption, coupled with rising energy costs due to tensions near the Strait of Hormuz, could increase chip prices and hinder plans by major tech firms to expand AI data centres in the region. The situation has also contributed to a significant selloff in South Korean semiconductor stocks, reflecting broader market worries about supply chain vulnerabilities affecting the AI sector.