Baek Kyunghoon: "35,000 GPUs in Two Years"... Science Ministry Launches Integrated Support Platform

Ministry of Science and ICT Forms Working Group with NIPA, Kakao, Naver Cloud, and NHN Cloud
Integrated Support Platform to Be Established by October
GPU Support Applications to Open in November

Yonhap News Agency

On August 21, the government announced that it would launch a public-private cooperation system and begin building an 'integrated support platform' to accelerate the acquisition of graphics processing units (GPUs) for artificial intelligence (AI) computing.

Previously, on August 20, Minister of Science and ICT Baek Kyunghoon stated at the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee plenary session, "We plan to secure 50,000 GPUs by 2030," and added, "Of these, 35,000 units will be introduced within the next two years." He emphasized, "While the government will play a priming role in the initial stages, it is important to create an environment where the private sector can autonomously invest and develop the ecosystem."

In line with this, the Ministry of Science and ICT, together with the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA), Kakao, Naver Cloud, and NHN Cloud, launched the 'GPU Acquisition Project Working Group' on August 21. The working group shared each company's plans for GPU deployment and operation, discussed challenges, and explored ways to build a '(tentatively named) GPU Integrated Support Platform' to efficiently allocate GPUs within the domestic AI ecosystem. The government and companies agreed to hold working group meetings as needed to monitor progress.

The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to establish the integrated support platform by October and begin accepting GPU support applications from domestic industry, academia, and research institutes starting in November. After expert evaluations, support will be provided sequentially from December. During the working group meeting, it was also shared that external risks, such as U.S. export controls, are not expected to have a significant impact on GPU procurement.

Kim Kyungman, Director-General for AI-Based Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "The launch of this working group is the first step toward the growth of the domestic AI ecosystem and support for computing infrastructure," adding, "We will continuously monitor project progress and do our utmost to ensure the seamless establishment and support of AI computing infrastructure."