Kang Gijeong Makes Emotional Appeal for National AI Computing Center to Be Established in Gwangju

Press Conference Held Ahead of Application Deadline on the 21st
City Council Also Issues Statement: "The Center Must Be Established in Gwangju"

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung held a press conference at the city hall on the morning of the 21st, appealing for the attraction of the National AI Computing Center to Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News

With Gwangju City making an all-out effort to attract the National AI Computing Center, a project worth 2.5 trillion won, Mayor Kang Gijeong made a public appeal for Gwangju's selection ahead of the application deadline.

At a press conference held at city hall on the morning of the 21st, Mayor Kang stated, "For both Gwangju and Korea's leap to become one of the top three global AI leaders, the National AI Computing Center must be established in Gwangju."

He particularly emphasized, "Unlike private data centers, the National AI Computing Center is a major project that builds public infrastructure under national responsibility and lays the foundation for future industries. The decision should not be made solely based on corporate interests."

He added, "Gwangju has already completed all preparations to establish a full-fledged AI ecosystem through the operation of the existing National AI Data Center and the planned National AI Computing Center. To this end, Gwangju City has held dozens of close consultations with investment companies."

During the press conference, Mayor Kang became visibly emotional, pausing briefly and shedding tears while reading his statement.

The Gwangju City Council also issued a statement in the name of all council members just before the plenary session, lending its support to the effort to attract the National AI Computing Center to Gwangju.

The council asserted, "Over the past seven years, Gwangju has pioneered the AI era and accumulated practical know-how in operating AI data centers. Attracting the center to Gwangju will make a significant contribution to strengthening the competitiveness of the national AI industry and promoting balanced regional development." The council also urged, "President Lee Jaemyung's promise of 'Gwangju as a leading AI city' must be fulfilled, and the center should be established in Gwangju through a fair and transparent process."

Meanwhile, the application process for the National AI Computing Center, overseen by the Ministry of Science and ICT, was conducted over two days and will close at 5 p.m. today. With the consortium led by Samsung SDS expected to be the sole applicant, local governments nationwide are watching closely to see which region the Samsung SDS consortium will ultimately select.

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