Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon stated that he understands that OpenAI, in cooperation with Korean companies such as Samsung and SK Group, is preparing to begin construction in March this year on a data center it is seeking to build in Korea.

Bae made the remarks on the 11th at a session of the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee in response to a question from Rep. Lee Sang-hwi of the People Power Party, who asked, “What is the status of the plan by OpenAI and Samsung and SK to build a data center?” Bae replied, “My understanding is that it is now being implemented,” and went on to make these comments.

Sam Altman, chief executive officer (CEO) of OpenAI, visited Korea in October last year and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Science and ICT to support participation by Korean companies in building OpenAI’s global artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and in the rollout of AI. At that time, CEO Altman also met with Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, and signed separate agreements stipulating mutual cooperation to build core AI infrastructure. The data centers mentioned on this day are being pursued as an extension of these agreements.

At the committee meeting, Pohang and Jeonnam (South Jeolla Province) were mentioned as specific candidate locations for the data centers that OpenAI is pursuing separately with Samsung and SK. However, OpenAI stated, “Discussions are still underway, so we cannot confirm specific locations or a groundbreaking schedule.”

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