Gangwon governor holds press briefing at provincial office
Province eyes more tech hubs beyond confirmed GS, SK projects
Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province is in investment talks with KT Corp over an AI data center in Wonju and with Shinsegae over a facility in Chuncheon, adding to already-confirmed projects with GS Group in Donghae and SK Group in Gangneung.
Governor Woo Sang-ho disclosed the negotiations at a press briefing at the provincial office Monday. "We are in discussions with KT Corp on an AI data center to be built in Wonju, and Shinsegae is reviewing an investment in the aquathermal energy convergence cluster in Chuncheon — talks are ongoing, but nothing has been finalized," he said.
Woo outlined three broad models for attracting AI data center investment: joint ventures between domestic conglomerates and foreign big-tech firms, direct investment by overseas companies, and investment funds backed by secured foreign demand. He said the province gives priority to projects led by domestic conglomerates because they generate the strongest economic spillover for the local community.
"The goal is not simply to attract data centers — it is to build a new industrial ecosystem in which small and mid-sized companies in Gangwon can forge cooperative ties," he said. "When a major domestic conglomerate participates, we can conclude a co-prosperity agreement with Gangwon businesses and connect local talent to employment opportunities."
Woo also said conglomerates that build AI data centers in Gangwon Province could make additional investments in the region through their affiliates or partner companies.
On attracting tenants to the aquathermal energy convergence cluster in Chuncheon, he said the province is working with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on regulatory improvements.
"Under current Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport guidelines, when multiple companies apply, the selection is made by lottery — and major conglomerates that have expressed investment interest find that burdensome," Woo said. "We are conveying to the ministry our request that it establish a mechanism allowing companies to be screened and selected based on the quality of their proposals."
On the status of SK Group's Gangneung AI data center — where the exact site and capacity have yet to be determined due to power supply constraints — Woo said there is no doubt that SK will build the facility in Gangneung. "Securing power for a 1-gigawatt data center in a short period is not easy, so we are discussing a plan to reduce capacity by scaling down the substation," he said.
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