Consortium Including Samsung SDS, Naver, Kakao, and KT Submits Sole Bid
Haenam's Vision as 'AI Hub' Becomes Reality Following RE100 Industrial Complex and Data Center Successes
The Solaseado Enterprise City in Haenam County, South Jeolla Province, has effectively entered the final stage of being designated as the leading candidate site for the government's National AI Computing Center project, which is valued at 2.5 trillion won. Locals are increasingly hopeful that this decision will serve as a 'game changer' to revive the region's stagnant economy.
According to Haenam County on the 27th, the Samsung SDS consortium submitted an exclusive bid for the National AI Computing Center project, which was solicited by the Ministry of Science and ICT, selecting the Data Center Park site within Solaseado Enterprise City in Haenam as its location. As the application period closed on the 21st with only a single consortium participating, Haenam is now considered the most likely final site for the project.
Myeon Hyunkwan, Haenam County Governor, stated at a regular meeting that day, "We welcome the outstanding decision by the Samsung SDS consortium," adding, "We will do our utmost to ensure that the government confirms Haenam as the final site."
Governor Myeon said, "Following the push for RE100 National Industrial Complex designation and the selection of OpenAI and SK Group's data center sites, the likelihood of attracting the National AI Computing Center to Haenam is now extremely high. We will thoroughly prepare by expanding infrastructure and building community consensus."
The National AI Computing Center project is a core national policy initiative of the Lee Jaemyung administration, aiming to establish national-level artificial intelligence infrastructure for large-scale AI training and service development.
The bid reportedly involved major cloud companies such as Naver, Kakao, and KT, centered around Samsung SDS, and the project is expected to gain momentum. The government plans to select a preferred bidder within this year and finalize the site by the end of the year. In 2026, the plan is to establish a public-private joint special purpose company (SPC), complete the investment process, and commence construction.
The center aims to secure over 15,000 advanced GPUs by 2028 and more than 50,000 by 2030, establishing world-class AI computing infrastructure. Solaseado Enterprise City in Haenam is rapidly emerging as the 'AI hub of Korea,' following a series of positive developments such as the push for RE100 National Industrial Complex designation, the attraction of OpenAI and SK Group's data centers, and now the National AI Computing Center.
The county is considered the only region in the country with abundant renewable energy resources, a large site ready for immediate construction, and all necessary institutional foundations, including RE100 National Industrial Complex and Opportunity Development Zone designations.
In addition, the county signed an investment agreement with LS on the 20th to create the nation's first offshore wind power support port, further strengthening its position as an energy-digital convergence hub.
Governor Myeon stated, "The changes underway in Haenam are not just local projects, but national initiatives that will reshape the future industrial landscape of Korea. In cooperation with Assemblyman Park Jiwon and Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok, we will ensure that Haenam becomes the starting point for Korea to realize its ambitions as an AI powerhouse."
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