Summary：**SK Hynix CEO warns of worst-ever memory chip shortage hitting in 2027, lasting through 2030****Int

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**SK Hynix CEO warns of worst-ever memory chip shortage hitting in 2027, lasting through 2030**

**Introduction**
SK Hynix’s chief executive raised alarms this week, forecasting a memory‑chip crunch that could eclipse any shortage seen in the past decade. Speaking at a semiconductor forum in Seoul, the CEO said the gap between supply and demand for DRAM and NAND flash is projected to widen sharply from 2027, persisting through 2030. The warning comes as AI workloads, data‑center expansion, and blockchain‑driven hardware needs push memory consumption to unprecedented levels.

**Key Developments**
The executive cited three converging pressures: limited fab capacity due to high capital‑intensity of next‑generation nodes, geopolitical restrictions on equipment exports, and a slowdown in new plant announcements after the 2022‑2023 investment boom. SK Hynix itself has postponed two 1‑nanometer DRAM lines, citing uncertain returns. Meanwhile, major consumers such as hyperscale cloud providers and crypto‑mining firms have signaled plans to boost memory purchases by 30‑40% over the next five years, tightening the market further.

**Industry Analysis**
Analysts note that the looming shortage differs from previous cycles because demand