An Nvidia-backed US startup and South Korea’s Shinsegae Group announced plans to build the nation’s largest AI data center-250 megawatts-with full sovereign control over operations and governance.
The facility, set for deployment in Seoul, will host frontier AI systems for Korean enterprises, using Nvidia servers and operating under domestic regulatory oversight.
US Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg called the project pivotal for allied AI infrastructure, stating America’s role is ensuring allies build with US technology.
Reflection AI CEO Misha Laskin emphasized Korean control: “AI infrastructure the Republic of Korea can audit and evolve on its own terms.”
South Korea aims to rank among the top three global AI powers-alongside the US and China-leveraging its chipmaking leadership at Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.