Plans to build a 750 billion won investment by 2030
15GW Starting with Ulsan to Chungcheong and Southwest regions
Jeong Seok-geun, head of SKT AI CIC, and new CEO
사진 확대 SK Hyper Logo, an AI data center business development company. SK Telecom
SK Telecom has established a new corporation dedicated to the artificial intelligence (AI) data center business. The move is aimed at building large-scale domestic AI infrastructure in line with the government’s strategy of three major AI powerhouses.
SK Telecom held a board meeting on the 23rd and announced that it had decided to establish ‘SK Hyper’, an AI data center business development company, and invest a total of 750 billion won by 2030. SK Hyper is a 100% subsidiary dedicated to securing AI data center sites, building substations, attracting customers, and commercializing them.
SK Telecom will first invest 330 billion won in July next year, and the remaining 420 billion won will be invested sequentially depending on the business progress. The total investment is 5.79% of equity capital.
SK Telecom is gradually expanding the size of its AI data center. It plans to gradually build a 5 gigawatt (GW) AI data center by 2029, centering on SK Hyper, and then expand it to a total of 15 GW by 2035. Starting with Ulsan, GW-class AI data centers will be established in Chungcheong and Southwest regions.
사진 확대 AI Data Center Expansion Plan and SK Hyper’s Role Introduction. SK Telecom Co., Ltd
The establishment of the corporation is a follow-up measure to implement the ‘Asian AI Infrastructure Hub’ strategy announced earlier this month in earnest. SK Telecom has recently established an “AIDC Integrated Promotion Team” under the direct control of its CEO and is in charge of AI data center business at the group level.
The new corporation focuses on securing public infrastructure necessary for the establishment of an AI data center. It will secure business sites and substations, build transmission and distribution networks, and develop AI data center businesses. SK Broadband will continue to push for the ongoing AI data center project, including Ulsan data center, and SK Hyper will be in charge of developing new mid- to long-term gigawatt-class businesses.
Jung Seok-geun, head of SK Telecom’s AI CIC, was appointed as the first CEO. CEO Chung will also serve as the head of the AI DC Integrated Promotion Team and oversee the AI data center business within the group.
SK Hyper is a realization of SK Group’s blueprint for ‘Asian AI Infrastructure Hub,’ SK Hyper CEO Jeong Seok-geun said. “We will secure core infrastructure and customers through systematic and rapid execution and contribute to Korea’s AI G3 leap forward.”