[Ministry of Science and ICT Work Plan] 50 Billion Won 'AI Computing Center' Construction... Data Center Regulation Relaxation

Pursuing a General-Purpose AI Development Project Over Seven Years
Subordinate Statutes of the AI Basic Act to Be Prepared in the First Half of the Year
Strengthening Support for R&D and Investment Tax Credits

The government is promoting the establishment of a 'National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computing Center' through a public-private joint investment and improving regulations on the establishment of essential infrastructure such as data centers. While undertaking a 1 trillion won-scale general-purpose AI development project, it will also design systems for the safe use of AI, including AI-generated content watermarking.

Minister of Science and ICT, Sang-im Yoo. Photo by Yongjun Cho jun21@

On the 13th, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced the 2025 work plan containing these details to Choi Sang-mok, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance.

First, to expand infrastructure for AI industry growth, 49.8 billion won will be invested this year to build the National AI Computing Center through public-private cooperation, and urgent demands will be promptly supported based on private cloud infrastructure.

By the first quarter of this year, a comprehensive AI computing infrastructure plan, including measures to expand large-scale AI computing resources and improve regulations related to data centers, will be established.

Currently, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is preparing to implement a power system impact assessment system to prevent overconcentration of data centers in the metropolitan area. Regarding this, Nam Cheol-gi, Director of the AI-based Policy Division at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "We are discussing with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to exclude regions with abundant power and information and communication infrastructure expansion from the impact assessment," and added, "We are also consulting with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on the plan to locate data centers in port areas with abundant power and ample land."

The subordinate statutes of the AI Basic Act, which passed the National Assembly last December, are also planned to be prepared in the first half of this year. The subordinate statutes include details on the operation of the National AI Committee and AI Safety Research Institute, the AI-generated content watermarking system, and high-impact AI guidelines.

Starting next year, a 1 trillion won-scale general-purpose AI technology development project will be launched over seven years, while this year, 105.9 billion won will be spent to develop low-power AI semiconductor technology. Additionally, a local base for AI startups will be established in connection with the 'Global AI Frontier Lab' in New York, USA, to conduct joint research.

AI will be added to the national strategic technologies to strengthen support for research and development (R&D) and investment tax credits. The preferential tax credit rates are expected to be 30-50% for R&D and 15-35% for investments.

The Ministry of Science and ICT also announced its goal to create a policy fund worth 810 billion won and support policy financing to foster AI transition startups and growth in new industry sectors.

Minister Yoo Sang-im of the Ministry of Science and ICT stated, "It is important to achieve the status of a top three AI powerhouse, lead the digital transformation, and pioneer the future based on solid science and technology," adding, "We will enhance growth potential and pioneer the future through investment and support for advanced technologies and talent development."