Samsung SDS Consortium Finalized as Operator for National AI Computing Center Project

2.5 Trillion Won Invested for 15,000 AI Semiconductors... Construction Begins in Q3

AI Computing Resources Offered at Competitive Rates

Support for Development of Domestic AI Semiconductors Including NPUs

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on May 11 that it has finalized the Samsung SDS consortium as the private sector participant for the National AI Computing Center construction project.

The consortium consists of the lead company Samsung SDS, along with Naver Cloud, Samsung C&T, Kakao, Samsung Electronics, Clush, KT, Jeollanam-do, and Southwest Coast Enterprise City Development.

Image of the National AI Computing Center site. Samsung SDS

On this day, the Ministry of Science and ICT signed an implementation agreement to finalize the project operator and project plan, as well as a shareholders' agreement for capital contributions and the establishment and operation of a special purpose company (SPC). To promote the National AI Computing Center project, the SPC capital contribution was approved in April through the National Growth Fund’s Investment Deliberation Committee, confirming a total public-private investment of 400 billion won—consisting of 116 billion won from the public sector and 284 billion won from the private sector.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Samsung SDS consortium plan to establish a public-private joint SPC in the second quarter of this year and begin construction of the center in the third quarter. Additional funds will be raised through the SPC to build the center with a total investment of 2.5 trillion won. The facility is expected to be equipped with 15,000 AI semiconductors by 2028.

After the center is established, the Ministry of Science and ICT plans to provide high-performance AI computing resources at competitive rates. In particular, further discounts and usage vouchers will be provided for small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, academia, and research institutions. Support will also be offered for technology consulting, commercialization, educational programs, and best practice sharing events to invigorate the AI ecosystem.

Support will also be provided for the development of domestic AI semiconductors. First, an R&D zone will be created to offer an environment for the design, prototyping, and verification of domestic AI semiconductors. This area will pilot neural processing units (NPUs) at the pre-commercialization stage and support the reliability verification process. Subsequently, an NPU zone will be established to introduce verified domestic AI semiconductors and operate commercial services.

Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Baek Kyunghoon stated, "We expect the National AI Computing Center to serve as a model for joint public-private investment, acting as a catalyst for full-scale private AI infrastructure investment in the future," adding, "We will actively support Korea’s growth as a platform where anyone can freely pursue AI innovation, and as a hub for AI infrastructure in Asia."

Meanwhile, in last year’s open call for this project, the Samsung SDS consortium was the sole bidder. After passing both the technical and policy evaluation for project feasibility and a financial review of capital-raising capability, the consortium was selected as the preferred negotiation partner in March.

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