송석언 JDC 이사장 “제주에 AI 데이터센터 유치…청년 모이는 정주 생태계 갖추겠다”

Song Seok-un, CEO of Jeju International Free City Development Center (JDC), recently spoke about plans to attract AI data centers and create a youth-centered AI research and development cluster in the city. During a press conference in Jeju, he announced that JDC aims to transition long-stalled major projects into normalized operations by collaborating closely with Jeju Special Self-Governing Province.

The center was established in 2022 as a government institution under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, with the goal of developing advanced science and technology parks, tourist attractions, a health city, and an English education city.

The JDC is currently working on reviving the halted vacation-type residential project, which was halted in 2015 due to a Supreme Court ruling on land compulsory acquisition. The center plans to restructure the existing land-use plan, reducing the proportion of lodging facilities from over half to just 26.2%, increasing the percentage of global work station centers to 11.3%, and allocating a sizeable 17.9% for cultural and tourism facilities.

The English education city is set to host a new international school and expand existing schools, while the Jeju Historical Park will be transformed into an experiential and exhibition park centered around the island's unique culture and mythology.

JDC's latest project is the establishment of a 40 million square foot data center to cater to AI-related businesses and public demand. Major telecommunications companies like KT are reportedly interested in participating in this project. The objective is to create a "complete residential ecosystem" for people to live, work, and study, with a focus on attracting and retaining young professionals in Jeju.