Editorial illustration for NVIDIA Plans Massive 260,000 GPU Deployment to Boost South Korea's AI Infrastructure
NVIDIA's $10B GPU Boost Propels South Korea's AI Ambitions
NVIDIA to deploy 260,000 GPUs in South Korea, says AI needs accelerated compute
South Korea is positioning itself at the forefront of the global AI race with a bold new partnership. NVIDIA plans to deploy a staggering 260,000 GPUs across the country, signaling a massive investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The move comes as nations worldwide scramble to build strong computational capabilities that can support advanced AI development. For South Korea, this represents more than just a technology upgrade - it's a strategic play to cement its reputation as a high-tech powerhouse.
Tech leaders have long recognized that computing power is the new battlefield of idea. By dramatically expanding its GPU capacity, South Korea aims to create a competitive edge in an increasingly AI-driven global economy.
The scale of NVIDIA's planned deployment is unusual, suggesting the country is making a serious commitment to becoming an AI development hub. And with government backing from the Ministry of Science and ICT, this isn't just a corporate initiative - it's a national technological strategy.
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang said, "Korea's leadership in technology and manufacturing positions it at the heart of the AI industrial revolution, where accelerated computing infrastructure becomes as vital as power grids and broadband." The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) will invest in sovereign AI infrastructure, initially deploying 50,000 GPUs through national providers NHN Cloud, Kakao Corp., and NAVER Cloud. According to Bae Kyung-hoon, South Korea's deputy Prime Minister and minister of science and ICT, "Expanding our national AI infrastructure and developing technologies with NVIDIA is an investment that will reinforce South Korea's strengths, including its manufacturing capabilities." Collaboration on AI Factories Samsung Electronics will build a semiconductor AI factory powered by 50,000 NVIDIA GPUs to enhance chip design, robotics and smart manufacturing.
South Korea is making a bold bet on AI infrastructure, with NVIDIA set to deploy an unusual 260,000 GPUs across the national technology landscape. The massive computing deployment signals a strategic pivot toward building sovereign AI capabilities, starting with an initial rollout of 50,000 GPUs through key national providers like NHN Cloud, Kakao Corp., and NAVER Cloud.
NVIDIA's CEO Jensen Huang frames this as more than a hardware upgrade - it's an industrial transformation. By comparing accelerated computing to needed infrastructure like power grids, Huang suggests these GPUs represent fundamental economic architecture for the digital age.
The scale is striking: 260,000 GPUs represents a serious commitment from both NVIDIA and South Korea's government. While details remain sparse about the full deployment timeline, the initial phase through national cloud providers hints at a carefully orchestrated national technology strategy.
South Korea's move underscores its long-standing technological ambition. By investing heavily in AI infrastructure, the country appears determined to position itself at the forefront of the global computational revolution.
Further Reading
- Alliances, policy, memory supercycle define Korea's AI push in 2025 - The Korea Times
- NVIDIA GPU: Blessing for AI in Korea? - SeoulTech Times
- Nvidia's $4 trillion rise raises questions about financing its growth - TechSpot
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Common Questions Answered
How many GPUs is NVIDIA planning to deploy in South Korea?
NVIDIA is planning a massive deployment of 260,000 GPUs across South Korea's technology infrastructure. This unprecedented scale represents a significant investment in the country's AI capabilities and computational power.
Which national providers will initially receive GPU deployments in South Korea?
The initial GPU deployment will involve three key national providers: NHN Cloud, Kakao Corp., and NAVER Cloud. The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) will oversee the initial rollout of 50,000 GPUs through these companies.
How does NVIDIA's CEO Jensen Huang describe South Korea's role in AI development?
Jensen Huang describes South Korea as being positioned at the heart of the AI industrial revolution, with accelerated computing infrastructure becoming as critical as power grids and broadband networks. He emphasizes the country's leadership in technology and manufacturing as key strategic advantages.