Kim emphasized the need to establish data centers in non-capital regions, such as Honam, as part of a strategy to alleviate concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area.
While accompanying President Lee Jae-myung on his first European trip since taking office, Kim stated on Facebook, "Historically, the global AI supply chain has operated with the U.S. designing software and models, Taiwan producing advanced semiconductors, and China handling large-scale manufacturing. However, all three pillars are now facing disruptions."
He added, "Big tech companies are seeking solutions to these challenges and are looking for new bases of operation."
Kim noted that South Korea is uniquely positioned with its combination of semiconductor production, power infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing capabilities. He argued that if these elements align, South Korea could become a central player in the entire AI supply chain, rather than just a supplier of components.
He explained, "The strategic value in the AI era comes from providing the foundational infrastructure that enables models to operate. Semiconductors make data centers possible, data centers power physical AI, and physical AI generates new data."
Kim suggested that once this cycle begins, industries will not grow independently but will accelerate together like a flywheel, proposing 'Project Trinity' as a framework for creating a national flywheel.
He highlighted the connection between memory semiconductor supply and AI data centers, stating, "AI data centers should be located in non-capital regions where there is excess power or proximity to power generation facilities."
Kim explained that establishing large consumers near power generation sites would reduce the burden on transmission networks by utilizing local power, allowing the power used by households and industries in the capital region to operate separately. He emphasized that the demand from large AI data centers would serve as a catalyst for attracting investment in local power generation and transmission.
He also pointed out that the establishment of AI data centers in non-capital regions could serve as a strategy for balanced regional development.
Kim stated, "Construction and engineering firms responsible for design and construction, cooling and power management equipment, operations and maintenance, and network equipment suppliers will cluster around the data centers. Once these companies settle in the region, data centers will not just be facilities that consume power but will become hubs for local industry and tax revenue."
He reiterated that the more data centers are established outside the capital, the more it will alleviate concentration in the Seoul area and foster advanced industrial foundations in those regions.
Kim's remarks are interpreted as being linked to President Lee's announcement during a press conference on June 8, marking his first anniversary in office, where he stated that he would soon unveil a large-scale investment project aimed at a significant transformation in growth strategy.
The 'non-capital region AI data centers' mentioned by Kim are believed to potentially include the semiconductor plant proposal by Samsung Electronics in Gwangju, which the government is currently promoting. SK Hynix is also expected to announce investment plans in Honam soon.
Kim described physical AI as the 'second semiconductor' that will drive South Korea's economic growth, asserting that the country's strength lies not only in its ability to manufacture robots but also in having industrial sites where these robots can be deployed and trained on a large scale.
He added, "Automobile factories, semiconductor lines, shipyards, logistics centers, and advanced manufacturing facilities all serve as strong proving grounds and test beds for physical AI. Reliable motors, actuators, sensors, and control systems are likely to become key components in the era of physical AI."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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