Governor Kim Youngrok: "AI Data Center Marks a Turning Point for Jeollanam-do's Future"

Sharing the Significance of the Global AI Data Center at the Regular Meeting
"Now the Real Work Begins: Jeollanam-do’s Leap Toward Becoming Korea’s Sunbelt"

Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, is taking a commemorative photo with employees at the 'October Regular Meeting' for empathy and communication held at the Wangin Room of the provincial office on the morning of the 15th. Provided by Jeonnam Province

On October 15, Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, stated, "The establishment of the OpenAI-SK joint global AI data center marks a new turning point for the future of Jeollanam-do," emphasizing, "This is an opportunity for Jeollanam-do to rise as Korea’s future industrial belt and Sunbelt."

At the regular meeting held that morning in the Wangin Room of the provincial government office, Governor Kim explained that President Lee Jaemyung’s decisive action and SK’s investment decision were a response to Jeollanam-do’s long-standing anticipation and efforts.

He said, "Attracting this AI data center was not achieved overnight, but is the result of consistent efforts over time. Since announcing the Blue Economy Vision in 2019, Jeollanam-do has laid the groundwork for offshore wind power, data centers, and RE100 industrial complexes, aiming to become the capital of renewable energy."

He further stressed, "AI data centers require enormous amounts of electricity, and Jeollanam-do offers the most abundant renewable energy in the country, the lowest electricity rates, as well as the best infrastructure in terms of power grid, land, water supply, and the support of local residents."

Based on these strengths, Jeollanam-do has been working to attract data center investments in Jangseong, Gwangyang, Haenam, and Suncheon. In particular, the Jangseong data center is in its final stages of preparation, aiming to begin construction within this year.

In addition, in 2023, the province planned to attract a 1GW-scale data center park in Haenam Solaseado, and to address power grid issues, signed an agreement with Korea Electric Power Corporation in 2024 to build a 154kV-class substation by 2028. In February of this year, the province also signed an agreement in Silicon Valley, USA, to establish an AI Supercluster Hub.

In this context, Jeollanam-do has also established the Energy Future City Planning and Strategy Headquarters, which will serve as the control tower for creating an energy future city, including the development of RE100 industrial complexes and the construction of the global AI data center.

Governor Kim said, "After the decision to build the AI data center in Jeollanam-do, I received a reply from President Lee Jaemyung to my thank-you message, saying, 'This is just the beginning.' I took this to mean that this is a new starting point for Jeollanam-do’s development and that even more opportunities await us." He continued, "Now is when the real work begins. Just as the Sunbelt in the United States is the center of the economy and attracts advanced companies, let’s respond swiftly to corporate needs and solidify the foundation for future industries so that Jeollanam-do can rise as Korea’s Sunbelt."

He also said, "I heard someone say, 'Jeollanam-do has seized a golden opportunity to play a central role in the world again, just like during the Jang Bogo era.' Jeollanam-do, which was once the center of agriculture, fisheries, and maritime trade, will now stand tall as the hub of future and advanced industries, as well as digital trade."

Governor Kim expressed his deep gratitude, saying, "Despite the heatwaves and heavy rains, the tireless efforts of the staff to reflect national policy tasks and secure budgets since the launch of the new administration have borne significant fruit." He added, "Above all, the health and happiness of each employee are important. Let’s create a warm organizational culture at the provincial office where work-life balance is achieved."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.