Governor Kim Taeheum Criticizes Lee Jaemyung's Pledge to Attract 'AI Computing Center' to Gwangju

At Department Head Meeting: "Region-Specific Pledge Could Undermine Fair Public Bidding Process"
Chungnam Focuses on Government Bidding to Establish 'AI Computing Center' in Cheonan

Kim Taeheum Chungnam Governor

Kim Taeheum, Governor of Chungnam, on April 28 criticized Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jaemyung's pledge to attract a National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computing Center to Gwangju.

During a department head meeting held at the provincial government office that day, Governor Kim pointed out that "a presidential candidate's pledge for a specific region could undermine a fair public bidding process," and argued that Lee's region-specific pledge was inappropriate.

He further emphasized, "The establishment of the 'AI Computing Center' being promoted by Chungnam is a national task and is significant enough to warrant inclusion in the national budget."

In particular, with the goal of being selected as a preferred negotiation partner by the government to encourage participation from large corporations, he stated, "Chungnam will offer comprehensive incentives to attract the AI Computing Center."

He added, "It is necessary to ensure that companies can communicate to the government the justification for establishing the AI Computing Center in Cheonan."

He went on to criticize, "It was inappropriate for candidate Lee to hastily pledge during the primary to establish an AI Computing Center in a specific region."

This reflects concerns that Lee's pledge could interfere with the government's fair public bidding process.

Governor Kim stressed, "Korea's AI industry is already lagging behind," and insisted, "We cannot afford any further delays."

He expressed concern, saying, "It took 10 years just to establish the Cheonan Display Innovation Operation Center," and warned, "If the nation responds any later, we will inevitably fall behind China."

Governor Kim's remarks are intended to highlight the importance and urgency of the AI-related policies being pursued by Chungnam.

Chungnam is actively working to strengthen the competitiveness of Korea's AI industry through the AI Computing Center and is responding proactively to be selected as a preferred negotiation partner in the government bidding process.

Meanwhile, Democratic Party candidate Lee Jaemyung pledged on April 24 via social media to attract the AI Computing Center to Gwangju.