SK Group will collaborate with Vietnam to develop the country’s artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem and infrastructure, formalized through agreements at the Korea–Vietnam Business Forum on April 23.

At the forum, SK Group signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with the Nghe An Provincial Government and the National Innovation Center (NIC). The ceremony was attended by Kim Jung-kwan and Ngo Van Tuan, alongside Chey Tae-won.

The Nghe An MOU was signed by Vo Trong Hai, Choo Hyeong-wook, President & CEO of SK Innovation, and Jung Jai-hun, President & CEO of SK Telecom. A separate agreement with NIC was signed by Vu Quoc Huy and the same SK executives. The agreements follow Korea–Vietnam Summit commitments on AI, semiconductors, and energy cooperation.

SK Group aims to support Vietnam’s national AI strategy and deploy a “Korean-style AI full-stack” model integrating AI development, validation, and services with data centers and power infrastructure.

AIDC development and energy integration

SK Innovation and SK Telecom will jointly explore development of an AI data center (AIDC) and related infrastructure in Nghe An Province. SK Innovation will assess electricity supply and dedicated generation facilities linked to the Quynh Lap LNG Power Project, while SK Telecom will review development, construction, and operation of the AIDC and seek global demand. The provincial government committed to administrative support and incentives.

SK Innovation was selected in February as a developer for the Quynh Lap LNG project alongside PV Power and NASU. The project includes a 1,500-MW gas-fired combined cycle plant, LNG terminal, and port, with construction scheduled for 2027 and completion targeted for 2030. Nghe An authorities issued an Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) to the SK consortium at the forum.

“Drawing on SK Group’s experience in operating large-scale power generation and diverse energy solution businesses, we will ensure the successful development of the local power infrastructure,” said Choo Hyeong-wook.

NIC partnership for AI ecosystem

Under the NIC agreement, SK Telecom and SK Innovation will collaborate on AIDC and energy infrastructure, as well as policy and institutional frameworks. SK Telecom will support AI ecosystem development through technology collaboration and investment promotion, while SK Innovation will provide energy solutions. NIC will coordinate government engagement, regulatory improvements, and local partnerships.

“AI data centers are key infrastructure that underpins the growth of the AI industry. Building on SK Group’s accumulated capabilities in the development, construction, and operation of AI data centers, we will further refine a collaboration model tailored to the Vietnamese market,” said Jung Jai-hun.

“AI full-stack provider” expansion

The Vietnam initiative could mark the first overseas expansion of SK Group’s “AI full-stack provider” strategy, integrating semiconductors, data centers, energy, and AI services. SK Group is developing the 100-MW “SK AI Data Center Ulsan,” targeted for completion in 2027, and has engaged in discussions with OpenAI on AI data center collaboration.

Ahead of the forum, Chey Tae-won said, “AI will play a critical role in Vietnam’s continued growth. SK Group has a portfolio spanning the entire AI ecosystem—from energy and semiconductors to AI models and applications—and we will leverage this to make tangible contributions to the development of Vietnam’s AI industry.”

By: DocMemory
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