Establishing Wonju's First Data Center
Accelerating the Development of an AI-Based Medical & Healthcare City
The groundbreaking ceremony for the construction project of a hyperscale artificial intelligence (AI) data center, with a total facility capacity of 99 MW (up to 120 MW), being developed by Megadata Korea Co., Ltd. in Dangu-dong, Wonju City, was held on January 15 at Hotel Inter-Burgo Wonju.
Megadata Korea Co., Ltd. is holding the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction project of a hyperscale artificial intelligence (AI) data center with a total facility capacity of 99 MW (up to 120 MW) in Dangu-dong, Wonju City, on the 15th at Hotel Inter-Burgo Wonju. Provided by Wonju City
This project serves as a core infrastructure to realize Wonju City's vision of becoming a "Medical & Healthcare City." It is expected to accelerate the region's digital transformation and drive innovation in AI-based medical and digital healthcare.
Megadata Korea plans to invest a total of 1.4 trillion won to establish Wonju's first "Urban High-Tech Industrial Complex." The company will construct three data center buildings, each with a 40 MW capacity, as well as an operations building and support facilities.
Preparation for this project began in September 2021, and it was selected by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy as one of the "Top 10 Data Center Projects in Korea." Since then, a three-party business agreement has been signed among Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, Wonju City, and Megadata Korea, fostering ongoing cooperation. After more than four years, all related administrative procedures have been completed, and construction has commenced.
To enhance the technical sophistication of the data center, Megadata Korea has established a corporate research institute and filed a patent related to immersion cooling technology. Immersion cooling is advantageous for energy efficiency and high-performance computing, and is expected to significantly improve power and cooling efficiency, which are essential for operating large-scale AI workloads.
Additionally, through a business agreement with IBM Kyndryl Korea, a global data center operator, Megadata Korea has secured operational stability and global-level management capabilities.
The company also prioritized communication with local residents during the project development process. Megadata Korea held more than three resident briefings to address community concerns and ensure transparent information sharing. Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and Wonju City actively cooperated throughout the administrative procedures, building a collaborative framework among residents, businesses, and the government. This is being recognized as a successful case of large-scale development project implementation.
Wonju City expects that the construction of the data center will not only revitalize the local economy but also accelerate the realization of its "AI-based Medical & Healthcare City" initiative. The large-scale computing infrastructure will serve as a critical resource to promote research, validation, and commercialization in the medical and healthcare sectors, including AI-based medical image analysis, clinical decision support, and the development of personalized digital healthcare services.
Megadata Korea Co., Ltd. is holding a groundbreaking ceremony on the 15th at Hotel Inter-Burgo Wonju for the construction project of a hyperscale artificial intelligence (AI) data center with a total facility capacity of 99 MW (up to 120 MW) in Dangu-dong, Wonju City. Provided by Wonju City
Furthermore, the project is expected to contribute to building a regional innovation ecosystem by attracting talent and fostering collaboration among startups and research institutions. As AI-driven innovation accelerates across industry, healthcare, and society worldwide, this data center is anticipated to become a key infrastructure supporting Korea's AI capabilities.
In particular, this project aligns with the government's goal of becoming one of the world's top three AI powerhouses, providing the foundation to accommodate large-scale cloud and AI computing demand and enhance research and industrial competitiveness. It is also expected to contribute to national technological sovereignty (AI sovereignty) and strengthen global competitiveness.
Meanwhile, the introduction of energy efficiency technologies such as immersion cooling and eco-friendly operational strategies will play a crucial role in enhancing the data center's sustainability. Additional green initiatives, including the integration of renewable energy and carbon reduction measures, are also being reviewed and will be phased in to ensure environmentally harmonious operations.
Won Kangsu, Mayor of Wonju City, stated, "The groundbreaking of the Wonju Data Center is a model project driven by cooperation among the local community, businesses, and government. It will serve as a pivotal moment for realizing Wonju City's 'Medical & Healthcare City' vision and expanding Korea's AI infrastructure."
He added, "Through this project, we will revitalize the regional economy, elevate our status as a high-tech industrial city, and create sustainable growth in partnership with the local community."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
