South Korea is an innovation powerhouse, dominating key industries like semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and AI. The transformative influence of AI and automation is not only reshaping the country's core tech sectors but is also redefining how investors make their decisions. This growth is occurring against a backdrop of increasing trade protectionism and tariffs. How are these geopolitical pressures influencing South Korea's investment climate and its strategic pivot toward advanced manufacturing and AI? What is the subsequent impact on global supply chains, asset prices, and investment flows? What hidden opportunities might global investors uncover as Korea's tech giants and government respond to these challenges with innovation strategies and cross-border partnerships?