Second Regulatory Rationalization Committee meeting held
The Ministry of Science and ICT will simplify the permitting procedures needed to build artificial intelligence data centers (AIDCs) and launch a new program worth 200 billion won to support domestic production of related equipment and technology.
On October 23, the ministry announced measures to support the AI data center ecosystem at the second meeting of the Regulatory Rationalization Committee, chaired by the president. In June, the government selected semiconductors, physical AI and AI data centers as the three mega-projects for South Korea's major leap forward. The latest measures are a follow-up intended to support the development of industries related to AI data centers.
The ministry will first prepare subordinate legislation under the AI data center special act enacted in June to revise permitting procedures. It will minimize procedures such as preliminary reviews and requests for supplementary materials during consolidated permit processing, and establish a dedicated contact point to address difficulties developers encounter during processing. Data center developers have complained about having to apply for and navigate numerous approvals themselves, including power grid impact assessments, building permits, landscape reviews and traffic impact assessments. The ministry will also pursue a measure to exclude unstaffed equipment spaces, such as computer rooms and cooling and power facilities, from the floor area used to calculate building size. Current standards determine the required number of on-site parking spaces according to facility area. The intention is to reduce the burden on developers by taking account of the small number of permanent occupants relative to building size.
A new program will also support domestic production of AI data center materials, components, equipment and related technologies. Under the government's budget proposal for next year, it plans to spend 200 billion won on developing data center technologies and establishing demonstration infrastructure to improve the reliability and competitiveness of domestic technology.
Measures to benefit local residents have also been prepared. The government has decided to designate special AI data center zones in the first half of next year and make plans for shared local benefits a mandatory condition for designation. It will also prepare guidelines with local governments for communication between developers and residents. The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to publish a draft enforcement decree for public comment at the end of October.
Original Korean article: hani.co.kr
English brief by Korea Wind Intelligence, koreawindintel.com
