SK Group announced plans to invest a total of 210 trillion won ($160 billion) in the construction of artificial intelligence data centers (AI DC) and the expansion of semiconductor production capacity, aiming to position Korea as a leader in the intelligent production market and a global exporter of AI technology.
On June 29, during the National Report Meeting on Mega Projects held at the Blue House, Chairman Chey Tae-won revealed that the group would allocate 100 trillion won for AI DC development and 110 trillion won for semiconductor capacity expansion.
The AI DC initiative, led by SK Telecom and involving various group affiliates, aims to establish a total capacity of 15 gigawatts (GW) across the country by 2035. This includes the ongoing 1 GW facility in Ulsan, along with planned installations of 2 GW in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, 1 GW in the central region, and 1 GW in Honam. The strategy involves breaking down the projects into smaller units of 0.5 to 1 GW to expedite the overall goal.
"Unlike traditional data centers that merely store data, AI DCs will function as factories for producing intelligence," Chey stated. He emphasized that the AI DCs will help Korea capture a significant share of the global intelligent production market, thereby reducing high societal costs and boosting the national economy.
He further noted, "SK's AI DCs could become global data centers leading the AI industry, serving as token factories that drive the core of the token economy, which is essential for AI agents."
Chey also requested government support in securing electricity, land, and water resources, while committing to prioritize memory supply at the SK Group level.
He expressed concerns over the current shortage of AI-driven memory supplies, which has led to rising consumer product prices and a shrinking future market. To ensure sustainable growth in the AI sector, he pledged to increase the supply of memory semiconductors.
The Yongin cluster, originally scheduled for completion in 2045, is now set to be finished by 2033, a full 12 years ahead of schedule. Additionally, SK Group plans to invest 600 trillion won in Yongin and 100 trillion won in Cheongju for NAND flash production expansion.
SK Hynix is also looking for suitable factory sites in the southwest region, including Gwangju, to meet the requirements for memory fab construction, planning to invest a total of 400 trillion won to establish two mega fabs responsible for the entire memory production process.
Concerns were raised regarding SK Hynix's exclusion from special law benefits aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the semiconductor industry. During a subsequent industry meeting following the national report, SK Hynix CEO Kwak No-jung pointed out that the Yongin semiconductor cluster and the Cheongju fab are designated as general industrial complexes and do not receive special law benefits.
President Lee Jae-myung responded, stating, "It is unfair for certain companies to receive support while others do not due to industrial complex designations." He effectively promised to explore ways for SK Hynix to access relevant support.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.