2.5 trillion KRW invested in AI computing infrastructure, as Korea National AI Computing Center breaks ground with sights set on 2028 operations.
The Korea National AI Computing Center (KOACC) officially broke ground on August 3, with a total investment of 2.5 trillion KRW and plans to commence operations in 2028. The project is jointly promoted by Samsung SDS, NAVER Cloud, and multiple government agencies and enterprises, and is regarded as a key infrastructure initiative in South Korea's bid to compete for global AI computing power and semiconductor sovereignty.
According to Korean media outlet EtNews, the Korea National AI Computing Center (KOACC) officially broke ground on August 3 at the Solar City data center complex in Haenam County, South Jeolla Province. With a total investment of 2.5 trillion won, or approximately 11.838 billion yuan, the project is targeted for completion and launch in 2028.
It is one of South Korea’s largest national-level investments in AI infrastructure to date, underscoring the country’s continued push to strengthen its computing power foundation in response to mounting strategic pressure from intensifying global AI competition.
Government-Industry Collaboration Advances the Project, with Equity Structure Reflecting Strategic Alignment
In terms of shareholding, the project clearly reflects coordinated government-industry participation. Samsung SDS is the largest shareholder with a 30% stake, while government entities including South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT, the Financial Services Commission, and the National Growth Fund together hold 29%. NAVER Cloud owns 26.1%.
In addition, companies such as Kakao, KT Group, Samsung Electronics, and Samsung C&T have also invested, jointly forming the KOACC consortium responsible for the data center’s construction and operations.
Samsung SDS: 30% stake, largest shareholder
Relevant South Korean government institutions: 29% combined stake
NAVER Cloud: 26.1% stake
Other participants: Kakao, KT Group, Samsung Electronics, Samsung C&T, and others
Providing Cost-Effective AI Computing Power for the Global Market
According to the plan, once completed, the data center will provide advanced, cost-effective AI computing infrastructure to the global market. South Korea hopes this will strengthen its position in the global AI compute race and give it greater influence in the industry.
At present, the KOACC consortium has already submitted a power usage application to Korea Electric Power Corporation and is simultaneously advancing supporting infrastructure such as water supply pipelines in preparation for future operations.
More Than a Compute Center: Also a Validation Platform for Domestic NPUs
Beyond commercial AI computing rental services, the South Korean government also plans to establish a dedicated R&D zone within the center to provide a validation environment for domestically developed NPUs (neural processing units), helping the country’s semiconductor industry make breakthroughs in AI-specific chips.
This means KOACC is not only intended to serve as a node for computing power supply, but is also expected to play a key role in supporting South Korea’s strategy for greater semiconductor self-reliance and control, becoming an important testing ground for coordinated development across related technologies and industrial supply chains.
South Korea Steps Up Its AI Infrastructure Strategy
From Samsung taking the lead, to capital injections from government institutions, to parallel progress on electricity, water, and other infrastructure, the Korea National AI Computing Center represents more than just a massive infrastructure investment. It is a core strategic move in South Korea’s effort to secure greater autonomy in AI computing power and strengthen its industrial competitiveness.
Against a backdrop in which AI computing infrastructure is increasingly becoming a focal point of global technology competition, the project is also seen as one of South Korea’s most important moves in the next round of the AI industry race.