OpenAI, Samsung SDS and SK Telecom to Begin Korea Data Center Build

OpenAI, Samsung SDS, and SK Telecom are preparing to begin construction of artificial intelligence data centers in South Korea as early as March, according to Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon.

The South Korean government previously said the U.S. startup would form joint ventures with the two Korean firms to develop two facilities with an initial combined capacity of 20 megawatts. The planned infrastructure is intended to support AI model training and deployment, reinforcing South Korea’s role in the global AI supply chain.

SK Telecom confirmed it is in discussions with OpenAI regarding a data center project in the country’s southwest, though the exact timeline for construction remains under review. The collaboration reflects increasing partnerships between U.S. AI developers and Asian technology firms to expand computing capacity amid surging demand.

The initiative comes as major AI companies race to secure power, land, and advanced hardware to support rapidly scaling models. South Korea’s strong semiconductor ecosystem and digital infrastructure make it an attractive base for AI expansion, particularly as governments compete to host next-generation data facilities.