Official Launch of the "Gwangju Attraction Committee" at the National Assembly
Marking the First Step Toward "Sovereign AI"
Full-Scale Efforts to Attract the Center Begin
On the morning of the 1st, at the 2nd Seminar Room of the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul, Mayor Kang Kijeong of Gwangju and attendees are performing at the launch ceremony of the National AI Computing Center Gwangju Attraction Committee. Provided by Gwangju City
On September 1, Gwangju City officially began its efforts to attract the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computing Center by holding the launch ceremony for the "National AI Computing Center Gwangju Attraction Committee" at the National Assembly Members' Office Building.
This launch ceremony follows the government's decision on August 22 to exempt the preliminary feasibility study for the AX (AI Transformation) Demonstration Valley Project, which is the second phase of the national AI initiative. It is a subsequent measure aimed at establishing Gwangju as the leading AI city in South Korea.
The event was attended by over 100 key figures from politics, industry, and academia, including Mayor Kang Gijeong, who reaffirmed Gwangju's commitment to attracting the AI center. The attendees declared, "The National AI Computing Center, which is essential for South Korea to become one of the top three AI powers and to build an AI superhighway, must be established in Gwangju." They also resolved, "Gwangju has laid the foundation for an AI-centered city over the past several years and is fully prepared to become the nation’s leading AI demonstration hub through the second phase of the AI project."
The committee is composed of experts from various fields, including administration, the National Assembly, business, and universities. It plans to conduct citywide efforts such as recruiting citizen committee members and organizing signature campaigns. Eleven people, including Mayor Kang Gijeong, local lawmakers, and industry representatives, will serve as co-chairs, while former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Lee Hakyoung, and former Minister of Science and ICT Choi Ki-young will serve as advisors.
Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun stated, "With the advent of the AI era, I am confident that Gwangju and the Honam region will find their rightful place. I am certain there is no place comparable to Gwangju, which has the necessary infrastructure, power supply, and talent. We will work together to ensure that the National AI Computing Center is established in Gwangju and that Gwangju and Honam play a pivotal role in the AI era."
National Assembly Deputy Speaker Lee Hakyoung said, "Given issues such as power transmission lines, AI data centers should be located where electricity is produced. The best and fastest option is Gwangju. Gwangju has been preparing in advance, so the workforce is ready, and considering political and social balance, Gwangju is the optimal location for the National AI Computing Center."
Choi Minhee, Chairperson of the National Assembly Committee on Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications, emphasized, "I strongly support the establishment of the National AI Computing Center in Gwangju and will actively support it in the committee." Industry leaders, including Baek Junho, CEO of FuriosaAI, also expressed strong support for Gwangju's AI potential.
Mayor Kang Gijeong stated, "Gwangju is the optimal location for the National AI Computing Center. Gwangju not only secures power and water supply, but is also the only city in South Korea with experience operating a national AI data center. Gwangju now has the opportunity to lead in AI, future vehicles, and energy. The era of Honam is beginning, and the Lee Jaemyung administration, which can support this, has been established. Based on these three abundant factors, Gwangju will drive South Korea’s future growth engine."
Meanwhile, the "Lee Jaemyung Administration's Five-Year National Policy Plan," announced on August 13, includes a plan to secure 50,000 GPUs, and the pledge to establish the National AI Computing Center in Gwangju is explicitly stated, further boosting the momentum for the city’s bid.
Gwangju City has already secured a 50,000-square-meter site and a 120MW power supply base in the AI cluster, and has accumulated experience operating the National AI Data Center and delivering results in the first phase of the AI project. In addition, by linking the 600 billion won second-phase "AX Demonstration Valley Project," which has been exempted from the preliminary feasibility study, the city aims to become a national AI pilot city.
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