Visited Samsung SDS Sangam Center to Hear Industry Concerns on Data Center Regulations
Requests for 'Special Zone Designation' Amid Power Supply and Permit Delays
Consensus on Expanding AI Infrastructure Investment and the Need for a Data Center Special Act
The National Policy Planning Committee, which is responsible for outlining the policy framework of the Lee Jaemyung administration, has begun preparing support measures?including expanding tax credits for private companies?to foster the data center industry, a core component of AI-based infrastructure.
On July 2, the committee's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force (TF) and Regulatory Rationalization TF visited the Samsung SDS Sangam Data Center in Mapo-gu, Seoul, where they held an on-site meeting to discuss ways to vitalize the data center industry. Committee members, including Song Kyunghee, head of the AI TF, and Oh Gihyung, head of the Regulatory Rationalization TF, toured key data center infrastructure and discussed regulatory improvement measures with representatives from industry, academia, and related associations.
During the meeting, the importance of data centers?especially high-performance GPU servers essential for AI model training and operation?was emphasized. Industry representatives voiced concerns about difficulties in building data centers, citing poor operation of the power grid impact assessment system and permit delays as independent issues. They specifically pointed out that, due to power supply problems, companies are being forced to relocate to areas with available electricity, and requested the designation of special zones where data center construction would be easier.
Participants also unanimously called for the enactment of special legislation to systematically foster the data center industry, as well as the establishment of a government-wide control tower.
Song stated, "We consider AI data centers as the next-generation national social overhead capital (SOC), and will reflect pledges such as expanding tax credits for private investment as national policy tasks." She added, "We will formulate concrete policies to expand Korea's AI infrastructure and realize the goal of becoming a true AI powerhouse."
Oh also commented, "In order for Korea to become one of the world's top three AI powers, a thorough review of data center power demand and investment plans is necessary," and added, "We will prepare reasonable alternatives to secure industrial competitiveness."
This meeting was held as part of President Lee Jaemyung's pledge to build an 'AI Highway.' President Lee has previously promised to foster AI infrastructure as a national strategic industry and to promote private sector investment by expanding tax credits and improving data center regulations.
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