[South Korea Continues to Strengthen 'Sovereign AI,' Establishes 1 Trillion KRW AI Infrastructure Fund Focused on Data Centers and Energy Facilities] BlockBeats News, August 5 – The Ministry of Science and ICT's Postal Business Headquarters and the Korea Development Bank (KDB) signed a business cooperation agreement today at KDB's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, to jointly establish a 1 trillion KRW 'AI Infrastructure Fund.' This fund is dedicated to investing in next-generation AI data centers, energy infrastructure, and other national future strategic industries. The two parties plan to jointly identify and invest in high-quality AI infrastructure projects, further expanding financial cooperation. Park In-hwan, head of the Postal Business Headquarters, stated: 'The ability to stably secure AI infrastructure such as data centers and power networks is becoming a defining factor of national competitiveness. As an institution managing the valuable assets of the people, we will continue to expand investments in infrastructure that drives the nation's future growth, based on stability and profitability.' This marks the first joint investment between the two institutions in approximately 20 years. In 2006, they co-established an infrastructure fund that invested in national infrastructure projects such as Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Incheon International Airport Railway, the New Bundang Line, and power plants. This collaboration also aligns with the South Korean government's policy to promote productive finance, leveraging public funds to attract private capital in core infrastructure areas of the AI era. Previously, the South Korean government had already increased its focus on AI and digital infrastructure through initiatives such as the 'KRW Internationalization Roadmap' and the 'Sovereign AI' project. The joint investment by the Postal Business Headquarters and the Korea Development Bank signifies a further tilt of public funds toward this sector. [Original Link]