Sejong Law Firm announced the launch of its AIDC (AI Data Center) Infrastructure Center on September 22, aimed at proactively supporting the development of national strategic industries such as AI, semiconductors, and data centers, while providing integrated legal services for related projects.
With the AIDC special law set to take effect in March 2027, the government has recently intensified its policy support for the development of national strategic industries in AI, semiconductors, and data centers, leading to expectations of increased investment and large-scale projects in the sector.
The establishment of AI and data center infrastructure involves complex legal and policy issues, including site selection, permitting, large-scale power procurement, grid connection, energy supply, AI and data regulations, protection of national core technologies, and investment and financing, necessitating comprehensive response capabilities.
Sejong has provided legal advice throughout the entire lifecycle of data centers, including the development, operation, and sale of the Hanam Data Center for Aegis Asset Management, as well as the development of the Goyang Samsong Data Center, the Pyeongtaek Data Center project by Samsung C&T, the Goyang Munbong Data Center by Smilegate, and multiple data center developments by Actis. The firm has also advised on major domestic and international data center projects, including power system impact assessments for data center power supply, solidifying its position in the field.
Building on this expertise, Sejong aims to expand its specialization in the data center sector to encompass the entire AI and advanced industrial infrastructure, while consolidating its capabilities across various fields to establish an integrated advisory system for all project phases.
To achieve this, experts in real estate alternative investment, project and energy, personal data and cybersecurity, AI governance, intellectual property, trade and industrial policy, domestic and international investment, M&A, and project finance will collaborate closely. The firm will provide comprehensive support from the initial stages of project structure design and site selection to development and permitting, power and energy procurement, AI and data regulation and technology protection, investment and financing structure design, and operations and sales.
The AIDC Infrastructure Center's main tasks include due diligence on data center sites and business rights, development and construction, and operation and sale; securing power through development project financing, renewable energy, natural gas, and nuclear power; addressing ICT regulations related to AI, data, and communications, AI commercialization, and data center service contracts; advising on IP and technology protection related to AI training data, copyrights, technology development and utilization contracts, trade secrets, and national core technologies; and providing investment and financing advice encompassing domestic and international investment, project financing, acquisition financing, refinancing, funds, and GPU financing. The center will also offer comprehensive advice on government support projects, permits, foreign investment and incentives, and overseas expansion.
The center will be jointly led by attorney Jang Kyung-soo, who heads Sejong's real estate alternative investment group and has advised on numerous data center development and investment projects, and Yoo Jeong-yeol, a former official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy with extensive policy experience in industry, trade, and investment, who previously served as president of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).
Additionally, key experts from various fields, including Jang Yoon-seok, head of Sejong's corporate finance group, Kang Shin-wook, head of the ICT group, Lee Sang-hyun, head of the project and energy group, Lim Bo-kyung, head of the IP group, Kim Se-jin, head of Sejong's trade and industrial policy center, and Park Hyun-joo (Hyunju Helen Pak), an expert in international finance and investment transactions, will participate in a comprehensive response to complex AIDC projects.
Attorney Oh Jong-han stated, "Sejong has accumulated extensive experience and advisory capabilities through various projects in the fields of data centers, AI, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure. We will continue to provide optimal solutions to our clients throughout the complex processes of AIDC projects, contributing to the growth and competitiveness of national strategic industries."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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