Will the South Korean ICT Minister Enhance GPU Cooperation with the US?
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Synopsis
South Korea is stepping up its AI game with a ministerial visit to the US to secure advanced GPUs from Nvidia. With a budget of over $1 billion, this initiative aims to transform Korea's AI landscape and bolster its global competitiveness. Discover the implications of this partnership in the tech world.
Key Takeaways
- Minister Yoo Sang-im to discuss GPU cooperation with Nvidia.
- Budget of 1.46 trillion won allocated for GPU procurement.
- 10,000 high-performance GPUs to be secured.
- Collaboration with public-private sectors for AI development.
- KG Mobility partners with PT Pindad for vehicle production.
Seoul, May 13 (NationPress) The South Korean Minister of Science and ICT, Yoo Sang-im, is set to embark on a trip to the United States later this week to explore opportunities for enhanced collaboration with Nvidia in acquiring cutting-edge graphic processing units (GPUs), as reported by the ministry on Tuesday.
This announcement was made during a session of the government-led special committee focused on artificial intelligence (AI) computing, which is chaired by Yoo.
During the meeting, the ministry disclosed an additional budget allocation of 1.46 trillion won (approximately $1.03 billion) aimed at procuring 10,000 high-performance GPUs, according to Yonhap news agency.
The funding will facilitate a comprehensive strategy encompassing procurement, infrastructure development, and GPU utilization through public-private partnerships.
This initiative follows the South Korean government's earlier commitment to secure 10,000 advanced GPUs within the year to maintain its competitive edge in the global AI landscape.
In the initial phase, the government will identify a cloud service provider to initiate GPU procurement and establish the necessary infrastructure at the forthcoming National AI Computing Center.
The program will also bolster local industry-academia research centers and state-funded project operators by granting them access to the national data center.
"Acquiring advanced GPUs marks the starting point of innovation within Korea's AI ecosystem," Yoo stated. "We aim to collaborate efficiently with both public and private sectors to obtain GPUs this year, support domestic AI initiatives, and enhance computing infrastructure to improve Korea's AI competitiveness."
In a related development, KG Mobility announced a partnership with Indonesia's state-run defense firm PT Pindad to collaborate on a national car and electric bus project in the Southeast Asian nation.
The South Korean automotive company revealed that it signed a heads of agreement (HOA) with PT Pindad at its headquarters in Bandung, Indonesia, on Thursday, with the signing ceremony attended by KG Mobility Chairman Kwak Jea-sun and PT Pindad's CEO Sigit Santosa.
Under this agreement, KG Mobility will assist PT Pindad with vehicle product evaluation, technology, and engineering.
The two companies plan to collaborate on scaling up PT Pindad's ongoing national car and electric bus production project in Indonesia to achieve a production capacity of 200,000 units.
Point of View
I believe this initiative by South Korea marks a significant step towards enhancing the nation's position in the global AI landscape. The collaboration with Nvidia and the substantial investment in GPU technology demonstrates a commitment to innovation and competitiveness. Such partnerships are crucial in the rapidly evolving tech sector.
NationPress
26/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the South Korean Minister's visit to the US?
The visit aims to discuss collaboration with Nvidia to secure advanced GPUs, essential for enhancing South Korea's AI capabilities.
How much budget has been allocated for GPU procurement?
A budget of 1.46 trillion won (approximately $1.03 billion) has been allocated for procuring 10,000 high-performance GPUs.
What is the National AI Computing Center?
The National AI Computing Center is a planned facility where the government will procure GPUs and develop infrastructure to support AI initiatives.
What other collaboration was announced by KG Mobility?
KG Mobility announced a partnership with Indonesia's PT Pindad to support the production of a national car and electric bus project.
What is the expected production capacity of the project with PT Pindad?
The collaboration aims to scale up production to reach a capacity of 200,000 units.
