Vice Minister Ryu Jemyung of Science and ICT Discusses AI Data Center Cooperation with OpenAI

by Kim Jonghwa

Published 23 Oct.2025 14:00(KST)

"Korea Has Strong Potential to Become an AI Hub in the Asia-Pacific Region"

Ryu Jemyung, Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, met with OpenAI, a leading global artificial intelligence (AI) company, to discuss the construction of AI data centers and strategies for industrial cooperation.

On October 23, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced that Vice Minister Ryu held a meeting with Chris Lehane, Chief Global Affairs Officer of OpenAI, at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul. During the meeting, they discussed follow-up cooperation measures after the Korea-OpenAI Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on October 1.

Ryu Jemyung, Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Chris Lehane, who is a key figure overseeing global policy and government affairs, visited Korea to coincide with the release of OpenAI's "AI in South Korea - OpenAI's Economic Blueprint" (hereafter Blueprint). The Blueprint is OpenAI's country-specific strategic report that analyzes the impact and potential of AI technology on the national economy and presents policy directions to maximize these effects.

During the meeting, both sides focused on discussing the following topics: the current status of efforts to establish AI data centers in Korea, models for nurturing AI talent and industrial cooperation, and plans to build a global technology cooperation network.

The OpenAI delegation highly praised Korea, stating, "Korea possesses all the necessary conditions to become a key AI hub in the Asia-Pacific region, including talent and technology levels, power supply, policy commitment, and industrial demand." Vice Minister Ryu responded by requesting, "Please prioritize the Korea data center project in OpenAI's global infrastructure strategy," and urged OpenAI to "expedite consultations with major domestic companies such as SK and Samsung."

Both parties also agreed to identify concrete models for collaboration with Korean industries. Through a briefing, OpenAI emphasized that "this Blueprint will provide substantial support for the development of Korea's AI ecosystem."

Vice Minister Ryu stated, "In an era where technology is synonymous with both the economy and security, strategic cooperation with allied nations and key companies determines national competitiveness. Based on our partnership with OpenAI, we will strive to help Korea emerge as the AI hub of Northeast Asia."