The government has launched a public-private partnership to build AI (artificial intelligence) data centers with a capacity of 18.4 gigawatts (GW) and foster related industries, aiming to strengthen competitiveness in AI infrastructure. The goal is to develop an AI ecosystem that nurtures upstream and downstream industries—including power, cooling, semiconductors, and cloud—and connects them to overseas exports.
On the 29th, the Ministry of Science and ICT held a launch ceremony for the 'AI Data Center (AIDC) Alliance' at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, with over 400 participants from industry, academia, and research sectors, including representatives from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Financial Services Commission, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
The AIDC Alliance is a public-private consultative body established to implement the government's 'National Strategic Industrialization of AI Data Centers' announced last month. It will jointly pursue: (1) construction of 18.4GW-scale AI data centers; (2) development of upstream and downstream industries; and (3) creation of AI data center clusters, while discussing regulatory improvements and investment strategies.
The alliance will operate under a co-chair system led by the Ministry of Science and ICT and private sector representatives. Jeong Jae-heon, CEO of SK Telecom (Korea Information & CommunicationShin Jin-heung-hyeop (Chairman)), has been appointed as the first private co-chair. Twelve companies from the AI services, cloud, power and facilities, and AI semiconductor sectors will participate: Naver Cloud, Samsung SDS (Samsung SDs), SK Telecom, NHN Cloud, LG Electronics, LG Uplus, KT, Kakao, LS Electric, GS, KTNF, and Furiorsa AI.
The alliance will operate through three subcommittees—demand, supply, and infrastructure—as well as a Task Force (TF) for export industrialization. The demand subcommittee will promote large-scale pilot projects and secure reference cases based on experience in AI data center construction and operation, while fostering collaboration between demand-side and supply-side companies. The supply subcommittee will lead the localization and standardization of core technologies such as power, cooling, ICT equipment, and software. The infrastructure subcommittee will support legal and regulatory improvements, professional talent development, and ecosystem building.
The government also plans to develop strategies for domestic companies to jointly enter the global AI data center market through the export industrialization TF. The initiative aims to identify AI data center package export models that cover design, construction, operation, and cloud services for overseas demand markets such as the UAE.
Co-chair Jeong Jae-heon stated, "The AIDC Alliance marks the beginning of solidarity to lead the global market in the AI era," adding, "It will serve as a cornerstone for South Korea to leap into becoming an indispensable powerhouse in the AI data center industry."
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon said, "The AIDC Alliance will be a key driver for the national strategic industrialization of AI data centers," and pledged, "We will actively support investments in AI data centers to strengthen competitiveness across design, construction, operation, and cloud technologies."
Deputy Commissioner of the Financial Services Commission Kwon Dae-young remarked, "Given that GW-scale AI data center construction requires unprecedented large-scale investment, we will provide active funding support through the National Growth Fund." Industrial Policy Office Director Park Dong-il of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy added, "We will build an AI data center supply chain ecosystem for materials, components, and equipment (so-bu-jang) that drives technological innovation, pilot testing, and market entry."
in TECH
