SK Telecom, Hyundai Motor, Samsung SDI to expand investment in Ulsan

SK Telecom, Samsung SDI and Hyundai Motor have each agreed to expand their investments in Ulsan, covering AI data centers, next-generation all-solid-state batteries and electric vehicles, respectively.

Ulsan city plans to activate a corporate on-site support system — including permit assistance, regulatory improvements and coordination with relevant agencies — to ensure the investment projects proceed without disruption as the city pursues industrial AI transformation, future mobility and next-generation energy industries.

Ulsan Mayor Kim Sang-uk attended the Yeongnam Advanced Industry Development Vision Forum at Gyeongsang National University's Chilam Campus on Thursday, joined by President Lee Jae-myung, officials from the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and representatives from the private sector.

At the forum, SK Telecom announced plans to expand the AI data center it is building at the Ulsan Mipo National Industrial Complex from 100 megawatts to 1 gigawatt — a tenfold increase. Construction began in May last year, and as of late June the project stood at 34 percent completion. The first phase, a 40-megawatt facility, is on track to begin operation in October next year. SK Telecom plans to scale the complex to 1 gigawatt by 2029 and to build an additional 1-gigawatt AI data center in the Yeongnam region by 2035.

Hyundai Motor said it would expand investment in electric vehicles and electrification technologies alongside the reconstruction of its Ulsan factory, while Samsung SDI plans to concentrate its investment in next-generation all-solid-state batteries and battery energy storage systems in Ulsan.

Before the forum, Kim met with SK Telecom President Jeong Jae-heon to hear about the company's Ulsan AI data center investment plans and discussed attracting the additional 1-gigawatt AI data center slated for the Yeongnam region to Ulsan.

Kim emphasized that Ulsan is ideally positioned for AI data center development, citing its stable power supply, strong industrial base and favorable location, and pledged active administrative support. He also met with central government officials to request additional AI data centers in Ulsan, making the case for the city to become a hub for Asia-Pacific AI operations and a proving ground for industrial AI transformation.

"We are grateful, together with the people of Ulsan, to SK Group, Samsung SDI and Hyundai Motor for planning major additional investments in our city," Kim said. "We will do our utmost to provide administrative support, including permits, so that these large-scale investments translate into an upgrade of Ulsan's industries and an improvement in the quality of life for our citizens."