Korea fast-tracks GPU acquisition and green data centers to secure top-three global AI status by 2030

South Korea Accelerates GPU Acquisition and Eco-Friendly Data Centers to Lead Global AI by 2030

South Korea is making a decisive move to become one of the top three AI leaders worldwide by 2030. Key government officials and major ICT companies have committed to the “AI Highway” initiative, focusing on securing high-performance GPUs and developing sustainable data centers.

Government and Industry Collaboration

On August 29, Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon visited Kakao’s data center in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, to host the AI Highway Agreement Ceremony and Roundtable. Attendees included representatives from Kakao, NHN Cloud, Naver Cloud, and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA).

Minister Bae emphasized that GPUs are essential “the backbone of AI infrastructure.” He assured full government support to guarantee that developers and researchers have access to necessary computing power.

GPU Acquisition Plans

• The government allocated 1.46 trillion KRW in this year’s first supplementary budget to secure 13,000 GPUs.
• In 2025, an additional 9,000 GPUs will be added with the construction of Korea’s sixth supercomputer.
• The goal is to exceed 50,000 GPUs by 2030, supporting AI development across academia, industry, and research sectors.

A dedicated working-level council involving the ministry, NIPA, and private companies will oversee GPU acquisition. The minister’s office will conduct regular reviews to monitor progress and implementation.

Focus on Sustainable Data Centers

Minister Bae highlighted the importance of energy efficiency and sustainability. He called for government support to build eco-friendly data centers, pointing to Kakao’s Ansan facility as a leading example.

Kakao’s data center features rainwater recycling, rooftop solar panels, partnerships with universities for open AI research, and community engagement programs. Other companies echoed the need for data centers that are environmentally responsible and integrated with local communities.

Public-Private Partnership for AI Infrastructure

During the event, NIPA, Kakao, NHN Cloud, and Naver Cloud signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deploy advanced GPUs and strengthen AI computing competitiveness. This agreement formalizes cooperation aimed at turning the AI Highway vision into actionable results.

Experts see this initiative as a foundational step for South Korea’s emergence as a global AI leader, beyond just infrastructure investment.

For government officials looking to understand AI infrastructure development and sustainable technology policies, this initiative offers a concrete example of effective public-private collaboration.

Learn more about AI training and skills development here.