Amid a surge in demand for AI computing, SK Telecom is embarking on the construction of an AI data center with a capacity of up to 15GW to address the shortage of AI infrastructure supply both domestically and internationally. The plan is to establish a Yeongnam cluster with Ulsan as the first hub and attract the demand for Asian infrastructure from global big tech companies to Korea.

SK Telecom announced on the 6th that it would gradually expand and build AI data centers in conjunction with the government's 'AI Top 3' strategy and regional balanced development policy.

The plan is to first operate a 5GW capacity domestically by 2029 and expand it to the 15GW level by 2035.

Global consulting firm McKinsey & Company has projected that the global data center supply shortage will reach approximately 15 GW in the United States alone by 2030.

In Ulsan, a hyperscale AI data center is currently under construction in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), with the goal of launching operations in the second half of 2027.

The plan is to build a cluster of over 2GW in the entire Yeongnam region and add 1GW in the Southwest region to secure a total of 5GW domestically.

The construction of a 1GW AI data center will cost approximately 70 trillion won, and funding will be secured through strategic partner investments, long-term customer contracts, and project financing.

Key elements such as securing anchor tenants, site selection, and power supply are also being reviewed in parallel.

This project brings together the full-stack AI infrastructure capabilities held by SK Group affiliates.

SKT oversees the design, construction, and operation of the 'AI infrastructure architect' and has announced plans to jointly operate the 'AI Factory,' referred to as a next-generation AI data center, with NVIDIA.

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SKT defines its AI data center as the third national innovation infrastructure, following the Gyeongbu Expressway (1968) and high-speed internet (1998).

SKT CEO Jeong Jae-hun stated, “This is intended to proactively prepare the computing infrastructure required by the global AI ecosystem,” adding, “We will work closely with the government, industry, and local communities to contribute to Korea’s growth as a key AI infrastructure hub in Asia.”