This president's first regional schedule - AI highway launched in Ulsan

Introduction – The Meaning of Highways

In 1970, when the Gyeongbu Expressway connecting Seoul and Busan was opened, many wondered, "Is this giant road really necessary?" However, as time passed, we came to realize that this road was not just a means of transportation, but the lifeblood of South Korea's industrialization, serving as the engine of national growth through the flow of countless goods, people, and ideas. And now, South Korea stands before another road. Not one of tracks or asphalt, but a digital expressway flowing with data and computation. President Lee Jae-myung announced this starting point at the Ulsan AI Data Center. This moment was not just about building technological infrastructure it marked a historic moment in the full-scale digital transformation of South Korea.

Development - Ulsan's Future Gateway

On June 20, 2025, the AI Data Center launch ceremony held at the Ulsan Exhibition and Convention Center strongly showcased its significance. The 100-megawatt GPU-exclusive data center, constructed through collaboration between SK and global company AWS, boasts the largest scale in Asia and is expected to emerge as a central axis in the global AI industry competition. President Lee Jae-myung declared, “If the Gyeongbu Expressway led industrialization, the AI data center will become the 'expressway of the AI era' that drives digital transformation.” This new expressway is not just a simple data storage facility it is the base for AI semiconductors, cloud computing, large-scale data processing, and AI model training. Most importantly, this data center is being established in Ulsan rather than the metropolitan area. This represents the government’s strategic decision to ensure that technology and opportunities do not remain confined to specific regions, signifying the starting point for decentralized innovation in the provinces.

Expansion – AI Ecosystem and Balanced Development

Ulsan has traditionally been a hub for heavy industries such as shipbuilding, automotive, and petrochemicals. However, the launch of this data center will add the wings of digital technology to Ulsan's industrial ecosystem. The convergence of manufacturing and AI can lead to changes in various fields, including predictive maintenance, smart factories, and intelligent design. To support this, the government is preparing a comprehensive support plan that includes ▲ AI talent development ▲ acquisition of high-quality data ▲ dissemination of domestic general-purpose AI models ▲ development of customized AI solutions for different industries. The goal is to expand the utilization of AI technology from being centered around large corporations in the metropolitan area to encompass region-based small and medium-sized enterprises. President Lee Jae-myung stated, 'The success of the AI transition is completed when regions participate together,' clearly outlining the direction of the national balanced development strategy centered on AI.

Vertex - Collaboration with the Private Sector

Many major domestic and international companies attended the launch ceremony. SK Chairman Choi Tae-won evaluated, 'The Ulsan AI Data Center is a core infrastructure that will lead South Korea's ecosystem across all areas, including AI semiconductors, cloud infrastructure, software solutions, and services.' An AWS representative stated, 'The Ulsan Data Center is the first global AI-specific infrastructure that AWS is building,' providing a positive assessment of Korea's digital infrastructure and regulatory environment. Companies such as Kakao, Samsung SDS, and LG AI Research Institute are also participating, as the model for an AI industry ecosystem created through public-private collaboration is becoming more concrete. The government plans to systematically support this private collaboration. They are designing a virtuous cycle structure that encourages active private investment and technological innovation through tax support, streamlining permissions, and improving regulations, ensuring that the results benefit the local community.

Conclusion - The Journey of the New Highway

AI is no longer an abstract future it is a core infrastructure that determines national competitiveness. Data centers are the foundation, and the AI highway created by the government, businesses, and local communities will lead the next 50 years of South Korea. This new highway, starting from Ulsan, will transport technology, carry the potential of companies, connect youth jobs, and expand the future of the region. Just as the highways uplifted South Korea to an industrial nation half a century ago, this AI infrastructure will become another highway toward a digital powerhouse, South Korea. Closing phrase: 'The highway of the AI era starts from Ulsan. Your future rides on that road.'