Kim Yong-beom, Blue House Policy Director, announced on the 23rd during a briefing with foreign media including Reuters and Bloomberg that upcoming contract announcements between Korean tech companies and US Big Tech will validate the government's 4,700 trillion won AI mega project figure. The announcements will include long-term memory chip supply contracts by Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix and global AI data center investment agreements in Korea, timed with President Lee Jae-myung's US and South America tour. Kim stated the contracts will demonstrate the full-speed progress of the AI revolution and help observers understand the scale of the previously announced AI mega projects.
Kim Announces Validation of 4,700 Trillion Won Project Scale
Kim stated during the briefing, "When we announced the three mega projects last time, everyone said 4,700 trillion was too large a number, but I actually think it could be even larger. When you see the numbers companies announce this time, you'll understand 'this is real' and in what context these numbers came from." He added, "The AI revolution going full speed is finally starting to show little by little. You'll be able to understand unfamiliar landscapes that don't make sense with the previous system." Kim emphasized the upcoming announcements are not simple memorandums of understanding (MOU) but strategic investments and long-term contracts that Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Naver have been discussing with US Big Tech.
Samsung and SK Hynix Secure Long-Term Memory Supply Contracts
Kim disclosed that new long-term memory chip supply contracts by Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix will be announced soon. He stated, "The biggest thing is new long-term contracts for memory chips will come out soon." Kim noted, "I see the partnership between US Big Tech companies and Korea's number one and number two memory companies as very meaningful. It's the Korea-US technology and economic partnership becoming more solid." Regarding US semiconductor production facility efforts, Kim explained, "About 80-90% of orders come from the US. It's an investment plan closely related to exploding demand from the US." He added, "From Big Tech's perspective, isn't stable supply more important regardless of where the fab is?"
Global Companies Commit to Korea AI Data Center Investments
Kim announced that specific investment agreements for AI data centers (AIDC) with global Big Tech companies will be revealed. He stated, "On the AIDC side, very specific investment contracts with global Big Tech will come out." Kim explained the difference from previous announcements: "Last time we announced building AIDC in Korea by 2035, but this time there are definitive agreement contents with AIDC demand companies or companies hoping to invest." The Bank of Korea's second quarter growth rate was mentioned as evidence of AI revolution creating faster-than-expected growth.
President Lee's San Francisco Schedule Includes Big Tech CEO Meetings
President Lee Jae-myung's San Francisco visit schedule includes meetings with OpenAI, NVIDIA, Anthropic, and Broadcom CEOs. The President will attend the 'San Francisco AI Summit' with participation from Samsung Electronics, SK Group, Hyundai Motor Group, and Naver. The contract announcements are timed to coincide with this visit schedule.
San Francisco AI Declaration Positions Korea as Global AI Hub
Kim revealed that the 'San Francisco AI Declaration' to be announced during the tour will present a vision to make Korea an AI semiconductor supplier and global AI testbed. He stated, "The core of the 'AI for All' project is not just stopping at developing our country's independent foundation model, but providing 'National AI' services that all citizens can use." Kim explained the goal is to create a country that routinely uses AI in medical and public sectors. He added, "When other countries seek their own AI solutions, Korea will actively share and help." Kim also warned about AI revolution impacts, stating it has "the property that the pathway itself for those just entering society and starting their careers is almost disappearing." He noted AI boom could bring new challenges to real estate, exchange rates, and financial markets, which the government is using as a 'stress test.'
FAQ
What contracts did Kim Yong-beom announce on the 23rd?
Kim Yong-beom announced on the 23rd during a briefing with Reuters and Bloomberg that Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix will announce new long-term memory chip supply contracts with US Big Tech, and global companies will announce specific AI data center investment agreements in Korea.
Who will President Lee Jae-myung meet during the San Francisco visit?
President Lee Jae-myung will meet the CEOs of OpenAI, NVIDIA, Anthropic, and Broadcom during the San Francisco visit, and will attend the 'San Francisco AI Summit' with Samsung Electronics, SK Group, Hyundai Motor Group, and Naver.
What is the purpose of the San Francisco AI Declaration?
The San Francisco AI Declaration aims to position Korea as an AI semiconductor supplier and global AI testbed, and to provide 'National AI' services that all citizens can use in medical and public sectors, according to Kim Yong-beom's briefing on the 23rd.
