Naver announces AI factory launch, targeting 200 MW by 2028

Top News · Reported · etnews.com · translated from Korean

Naver has announced plans to launch an AI factory service supplying compute to domestic and international companies and public institutions. The rollout starts at 55 MW in the first half of next year, with Kak Sejong as the first site, and expands to 200 MW by 2028.

Here’s how the build-out works:

• Brookfield will invest up to $9 billion through a special-purpose vehicle to secure GPUs and data centers.
• Naver Cloud will operate the service and pay usage fees, spreading the upfront investment burden rather than buying all the equipment directly.
• NVIDIA will supply high-performance computing platforms, including DSX, and collaborate on the factory’s technology.
• The Brookfield contract satisfies a prerequisite for NVIDIA’s agreed $1 billion equity investment in Naver.

One catch: Naver will guarantee Naver Cloud’s usage-fee payment obligations for up to eight years. That is credit support for the contract, not an immediate cash outflow.

Sources: etnews.com