Major Partnership to Advance AI Infrastructure
South Korean conglomerate SK Group and
Amazon Web Services (AWS) have unveiled plans to jointly invest $5.1 billion in building the country's largest and most advanced artificial intelligence (AI) data center. The monumental project will be established in Ulsan’s Mipo National Industrial Complex, approximately 250 miles southeast of Seoul, setting new benchmarks for Korea’s technology and data infrastructure[3][4].
Key Investment Details
- Total investment is estimated at $5.1 billion, with AWS contributing $4 billion and SK Group covering the remaining amount[2][4].
- The site will initially feature a 41-megawatt capacity by 2027, scaling up to 103 megawatts and housing an unprecedented 60,000 GPUs by 2029[2][3].
- The facility aims to support high-intensity AI workloads including cutting-edge computing for machine learning and large-scale data analysis[2][3].
Strategic Advantages and Timeline
The location near SK Gas’s liquefied natural gas-combined heat and power plant ensures a stable, high-capacity energy supply, which is critical for mega-scale data center operations. Construction is scheduled to begin this August, following months of regulatory approvals and site acquisition. A groundbreaking ceremony is anticipated in August or September 2025, marking the official start of development[3].
Leadership and Industry Impact
SK Telecom, SK Group’s telecom arm and Korea’s largest mobile operator, is poised to lead the operational aspects of the joint venture. At the Mobile World Congress in Spain earlier this year, SK Telecom CEO Ryu Young-sang disclosed initial plans to build the massive data center, highlighting its vital role in digital infrastructure expansion[3].
Future Prospects
With its ambitious scale, the SK Group and AWS partnership could position South Korea as a leader in AI infrastructure across Asia. The robust AI center strengthens the nation’s competitiveness in the global digital economy and underlines the growing collaboration between global technology giants.
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