- Backed by a KRW 1.46 trillion supplementary budget, MSIT announces its “Advanced GPU Acquisition Strategy”
- Strategic GPU procurement and phased deployment to begin in October, supporting national AI infrastructure needs
On May 14, the Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister: Yoo Sang-im, hereinafter referred to as "MSIT") announced the finalized Advanced GPU Acquisition Strategy, following its review and approval at the Ministerial Meeting on Economic Affairs and Ministerial Meeting on Strengthening Industrial Competitiveness.
Background
As AI computing power emerges as a critical driver of innovation and growth, nations worldwide are accelerating efforts to expand their AI computing infrastructure, recognizing its strategic value in the context of economic security.
Korea, however, suffers from a significant shortage of AI computing infrastructure, hindering its competitiveness in the global AI race. Swift and decisive policy intervention is urgently required.
As an immediate policy response, the government has pledged to accelerate two major initiatives: the establishment of the National AI Computing Center—structured as a public-private special purpose company—and the construction of Supercomputer No. 6. In addition, the government unveiled a plan—supported by a KRW 1.46 trillion supplementary budget finalized on May 1—to secure 10,000 advanced GPUs by the end of 2025.
* This plan builds upon the February 2025 “Plan for Enhancing National AI Capabilities through Expansion of AI Computing Infrastructure,” along with follow-up measures introduced in April.
To ensure swift GPU acquisition and timely support for academia, industry, and research institutions, MSIT has developed a comprehensive implementation plan.
Implementation Plan
1. Procurement
MSIT will launch a public call for cloud service providers (CSPs) capable of timely procurement and deployment of large-scale, high-performance GPUs. Applicants will be required to submit detailed GPU procurement and deployment plans in alignment with the allocated budget.
Priority will be given to CSPs participating in the National AI Computing Center, which is organized as a special purpose company (SPC). An expert review committee will conduct a comprehensive evaluation process, including document review, proposal presentations, and on-site inspections.
Key evaluation criteria include:
· The provider’s capacity to procure and manage large-scale GPU infrastructure in proportion to the financial investment
· The speed and operational readiness for GPU-based service deployment
· The planned share of GPU resources allocated for internal use, with due consideration of operational expenses incurred by CSPs
Following the evaluation, MSIT will sign five-year agreements with selected CSPs outlining:
· That GPU ownership shall reside with the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA)
· That the National AI Computing Center (SPC) will retain primary usage rights
· That CSPs may allocate a portion of the GPU resources for their own commercial use
The selected CSPs will then be responsible for placing GPU orders and executing the procurement process in an expedited manner.
2. Deployment
During the GPU procurement phase, selected CSPs will be required to upgrade and prepare their existing data center infrastructure—such as power supply systems and network capacity—to accommodate the new GPU systems.
As the GPU systems are delivered, they will be installed in phases at designated data centers. System stabilization and service deployment preparations will proceed concurrently.
3. Utilization
Once deployed, GPU resources will be strategically allocated—primarily through the National AI Computing Center—to meet the demands of academia, industry, and national R&D projects.
From the early stages of procurement, the government will assess domestic demand and use cases in detail to tailor GPU allocation strategies accordingly. The allocation of GPU resources will remain flexible and be adjusted based on:
· Comprehensive market demand assessments
· Policy priorities
· Performance and usage history
User costs for GPU resources will be kept at reasonable levels. MSIT will determine detailed pricing schemes by September, based on institutional scale, co-funding requirements under other government programs, and overall demand.
Next Steps
As part of the next phase, the government will take the following steps:
· Hold in-depth discussions with NVIDIA (scheduled for May 16, U.S. local time)
· Host a pre-briefing session for CSPs on May 16 at 10 a.m., to be held at the Grand Ballroom of the LW Convention Center
· Initiate the CSP recruitment process without delay
MSIT reaffirmed its commitment to securing 10,000 GPUs and ensuring the timely deployment of GPU services through continued public-private cooperation.
For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division (Phone: +82-44-202-4034, E-mail: msitmedia@korea.kr) of the Ministry of Science and ICT.
※ Please refer to the attached PDF.