The Dawn of Korean AI Sovereignty: Why a 15,000-GPU AI Computing Center is Rising in Haenam

March 11, 2026

The term “AI sovereignty” is no longer a distant future but a tangible reality unfolding before our eyes. As artificial intelligence emerges as the core of national competitiveness, securing high-performance AI computing resources has become a top priority for every nation. In this context, the recent announcement by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) regarding the selection of the preferred bidder for the ‘National AI Computing Center Construction Project’ is expected to set a new milestone in Korean AI history.

Samsung SDS Consortium Leads the Charge in National AI Infrastructure

On March 10, the MSIT, led by Minister Gyeong-Hoon Bae, announced that the Samsung SDS Consortium was selected as the preferred bidder for the ‘National AI Computing Center Construction Project’. This news signifies more than just a corporate selection; it marks the official start of a public-private partnership project involving Korea’s leading technology companies.

A Massive Investment for the Future: Haenam’s Upcoming ‘AI Brain’

At the heart of this project is the construction of a colossal AI computing center within the Haenam Solasido Data Center Park in Jeollanam-do. This facility will be equipped with approximately 15,000 AI GPUs, serving as critical infrastructure essential for the advancement of Korean AI research and industry.

Location: Haenam Solasido Data Center Park
Structure: Establishment of a Public-Private Joint Special Purpose Company (SPC)
Scale: Securing approximately 15,000 AI GPUs
Timeline: Construction is set to begin in 2026, with completion targeted for 2028.

This project represents a strategic investment aimed at bolstering Korea’s AI competitiveness over the long term, rather than merely focusing on short-term gains. It will lay the foundation for countless startups and research institutions to leverage these high-performance computing resources, developing innovative AI models and creating new services.

Korea’s Top Tech Giants Unite: The Synergy of Collaboration

The Samsung SDS Consortium includes major domestic IT and telecommunications companies such as Naver Cloud, Kakao, Samsung Electronics, and KT. The combined strength of these entities, each possessing unique technological prowess and infrastructure in their respective fields, is expected to generate tremendous synergy.

Samsung Electronics: Expertise in AI semiconductor hardware.
Naver Cloud / Kakao: Experience in cloud services and operating large-scale AI models.
KT: Know-how in telecommunications infrastructure and data center operations.

The collaboration among these companies will not only ensure stable operations and efficient resource allocation but also drive the qualitative growth of the national AI ecosystem.

Korean AI Sovereignty: Setting Sail on a New Voyage

This National AI Computing Center Construction Project is more than just a technological endeavor. It signifies Korea’s strong commitment to securing independent AI capabilities in the global AI race and establishing “AI sovereignty” free from external reliance. With construction commencing in 2026 and completion slated for 2028, the Haenam AI Computing Center will become the heart of Korea’s AI industry, driving innovation and growth into the future.

We anticipate that this center will enable South Korea to leap forward as a leading AI powerhouse, solidifying its position as a technologically advanced nation that shapes the future.