[Reading Science] K-Supercomputer Technology Leading ASEAN Digital Transformation

Korea Deploys Supercomputer Technology to Support ASEAN Countries
KISTI Plans HPC Installation Sharing Supercomputer Operation Expertise
Expected to Boost Science and Technology Development in ASEAN Strategic Partners
Foundation for Entering Southeast Asia Data Center Market Attracting Big Tech Attention

South Korea's potential contribution to the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries' efforts to introduce national-level data centers is increasing. As major big tech companies seek to establish artificial intelligence (AI) data centers in Southeast Asian countries, there is a growing opinion that South Korea should further strengthen solidarity with ASEAN countries, which have been elevated to strategic partners, through scientific and technological support.

A representative example is the high-performance computing (HPC) cooperation project between the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) and ASEAN countries. According to KISTI on the 2nd, since last September, as part of the Korea-ASEAN Digital Innovation Flagship (KADIF) project, a GPU-based HPC cluster with a performance of 3.5 teraflops and 3 petabytes of storage has been established, and a project to train 160 HPC experts over four years has begun. The core is the opening of the tentatively named ‘ASEAN HPC Center.’ The center is scheduled to open in Indonesia by October next year. Through this, ASEAN countries are expected to accelerate regional scientific and technological development by performing more complex data analysis, high-performance AI model training using GPUs, and AI inference using NPUs.

Nuri On, the 5th National Supercomputer. Photo by KISTI

This project is being carried out through the ASEAN Cooperation Fund, to which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs contributes for ASEAN countries. The fund provided by South Korea to ASEAN is secured by Korean government-funded research institutes to improve ASEAN's digital infrastructure. To this end, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Mission to ASEAN, and KISTI are cooperating with the ASEAN Secretariat.

In May, then Minister of Science and ICT Jong-ho Lee met with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn and agreed to cooperate for the successful launch of the ‘Digital Innovation Flagship Project’ proposed at last year's Korea-ASEAN Summit. Since this is an agreement made at the summit level, active promotion is essential.

KISTI has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Indonesia's National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) regarding the construction of supercomputer infrastructure. From 2023 to 2026, a total budget of 3.3 billion KRW will be invested to support the establishment of supercomputer infrastructure and data-based disaster safety response solutions in Indonesia.

Seunghae Kim, Agile Team Leader of KISTI's ASEAN Cooperation Project, said, "These projects will serve as a foothold for South Korea to preoccupy the ASEAN digital market and expand its influence beyond simple technical support." It is especially noted as a strategic opportunity to strengthen South Korea's position in the ASEAN market, where China and Japan have already secured considerable influence. Since President Yoon Suk-yeol attended the ASEAN Summit last October and elevated relations with ASEAN to a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,’ the importance of cooperation in the field of science and technology has also increased.

◇ KISTI Builds ASEAN HPC Data Center = Currently, the HPC infrastructure in the ASEAN region is very weak except for Thailand and Singapore. There are only four supercomputers listed in the TOP500. Kim said, "The HPC infrastructure of ASEAN countries is still in its early stages, and the gap with advanced countries continues to widen. Based on South Korea's supercomputing technology and operational experience, we can contribute to closing the digital divide in ASEAN and also aim for the effect of advancing Korean technology."

This project goes beyond simple hardware construction to include software and human resource development. KISTI plans to distribute the National Science and Technology Knowledge Information Service (NTIS) platform to ASEAN and train 160 HPC experts over four years.

On May 28th, then Minister of Science and ICT Jong-ho Lee met with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn to discuss mutual interests. Photo by Ministry of Science and ICT

◇ South Korea's Opportunity Amid Competition with China and Japan = Currently, the digital infrastructure market in ASEAN is dominated by the influence of China and Japan. China is making large-scale investments in ASEAN countries through its ‘Digital Silk Road’ strategy, and Japan has also secured the market based on long-standing economic cooperation. Both China and Japan are global leaders in supercomputers. Although they develop and operate supercomputers independently, it is difficult to transfer advanced technology to Southeast Asian countries due to concerns about technology leakage. South Korea does not develop supercomputers but has stable operational experience. KISTI's project is significant in that it presents a new cooperation model by leveraging South Korea's unique strengths. What ASEAN countries need is KISTI's national supercomputer operational experience, scientific research networks, and AI data utilization know-how.

It is also important that South Korean AI semiconductor companies gain opportunities to enter the ASEAN market through this project. KISTI believes that advanced Korean semiconductors, such as NPUs developed by domestic companies, can expand their presence in the ASEAN market.

KISTI is also pursuing cooperation with individual countries. It has signed an MOU with Indonesia's Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and started concrete cooperation. Through this MOU signed in June 2024, both institutions will promote comprehensive cooperation ranging from HPC infrastructure construction to scientific and technological cooperation, big data, and AI collaboration. Discussions are also underway to donate some nodes of the supercomputer ‘Nurion’ operated by KISTI after its retirement to Indonesia. This is a tailored official development assistance (ODA) project suitable for the digital age.

This is evaluated as the first step in creating a long-term and sustainable cooperation model between South Korea and ASEAN beyond simple technical support or infrastructure construction. In particular, by sharing South Korea's scientific and technological infrastructure and know-how with ASEAN, it is expected to accelerate digital transformation in the region and promote shared prosperity.

Experts unanimously agree that now is the golden time to enter the ASEAN digital market. Transferring South Korea's technology and operational know-how at a time when ASEAN's digital transformation is accelerating can be a win-win for both sides.

Lee Sik, President of KISTI, said, "The ASEAN HPC Center will be a core infrastructure for the scientific and technological development of ASEAN countries," adding, "Through this project, we will support ASEAN countries to become leaders in the global AI market."