South Korea Lays AI Superhighway: Builds Supercomputer Infrastructure in Indonesia

Opening of 4.2-Petaflops High-Performance Computing Infrastructure

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South Korea is expanding its digital cooperation with ASEAN by establishing high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure, a core foundation for artificial intelligence (AI) development, in Indonesia.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on June 18 that they, together with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI), have completed the Korea-ASEAN HPC Infrastructure Project and held an official opening ceremony at Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).

Reference photo for article understanding. IBS Supercomputer No. 2 Olaf. The Asia Business Daily DB

HPC is a supercomputing infrastructure essential for large-scale data analysis and training of advanced AI models. The newly established system is a 4.2-petaflops (PF) unit capable of 4,200 trillion calculations per second.

This project, supported by the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF), is a US$10 million (approximately 14.7 billion won) initiative running from 2024 to 2028. It was launched to share South Korea's experience in building and operating supercomputing systems with ASEAN member states.

Currently, among the 10 ASEAN member countries, only Singapore and Thailand possess their own HPC infrastructure. Accordingly, the HPC infrastructure established in Indonesia is expected to become a key hub for supporting AI research and data utilization ecosystems across the ASEAN region.

Expanding Digital Influence Beyond AI Infrastructure Exports

South Korea is not only providing equipment, but also supporting local workforce development and the establishment of operational systems.

By 2028, training programs and technical education will be provided for approximately 160 local operational staff, and KISTI's National Science and Technology Information Service (NTIS) platform will be adapted to suit local conditions. Through these efforts, ASEAN countries will be supported in operating and developing their own HPC infrastructure.

This project has incorporated a wide array of domestic technologies, including HPC software and solutions, Korean AI semiconductors, and security technologies. As a result, it is expected to serve as a bridgehead for South Korean AI and digital companies to further expand into the ASEAN market.

Kim Kyungman, Policy Chief for Artificial Intelligence at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "The opening of the HPC infrastructure in Indonesia is a meaningful achievement that realizes the Korea-ASEAN vision of sharing South Korea's AI innovation capabilities with ASEAN countries and growing together," adding, "Through subsequent cooperation, including technology exchange and joint research, we will further expand Korea's digital influence in the ASEAN region."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.