Dangjin lands W1.2tr AI data center, boosting AI ecosystem
South Chungcheong Province is accelerating efforts to expand its industrial base as it works to become the country's "AI capital."
The province signed an investment memorandum of understanding with Dangjin City, EFD and NFD Korea on Wednesday at the provincial office situation room, agreeing to build a 1.24 trillion won ($924 million) AI data center in Dangjin.
The signing ceremony was attended by Governor Park Soo-hyun, Dangjin Mayor Kim Ki-jae, EFD CEO Choi Jung-yeol and NFD Korea CEO Choi Jae-woo.
Under the agreement, EFD will invest 1.24 trillion won from this month through 2029 to build a 100-megawatt AI data center on a 35,239-square-meter site within the Songsan 2 General Industrial Complex in Dangjin.
The Dangjin AI data center project is expected to create 80 new jobs, with priority given to hiring local talent.
NFD Korea, a company specializing in data center development and operation, will support the project with its experience in building data centers and its expertise in securing permits.
EFD has already secured the site and submitted a 100-megawatt power grid impact assessment to Korea Electric Power Corporation, and is proceeding with building permit procedures.
The province expects the AI data center investment to strengthen Dangjin's industrial base and help expand South Chungcheong's AI industry ecosystem while attracting related companies and talent.
The province plans to develop the data center not merely as an IT infrastructure facility but as a hub for industrial innovation where companies, universities and research institutions can grow together. It aims to apply AI technology to the province's core industries and boost the competitiveness of future new industries.
Governor Park said, "Along with this investment, the province will gather the pulse of the 'data hearts' that have begun beating one by one across the region and inject vitality into an AI transformation across industries. We will accelerate AI investment through '3-force innovation' and 'light-speed administration.'"
Park added, "Since the AI transformation depends on these three forces — stable electricity, sufficient water and a specialized workforce — we will expand the power grid and water infrastructure while actively cultivating tailored talent." He said, "We will connect Dangjin's AI factory with the province's core industries, including semiconductors, displays, automobiles, steel and petrochemicals, making processes smarter and products more competitive, and add more AI factories to South Chungcheong, which has long supported Korea's manufacturing sector, to open up 'the future of the AI era.'"
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
