The AI revolution is simultaneously reshaping computing resources, energy, real estate, and capital markets. Amid this transformation, the center of gravity in the AI industry is shifting rapidly from the development of individual models to the AI infrastructure that underpins them, with AI data centers (“AIDCs”) at its core. AIDCs have grown beyond mere IT infrastructure into strategic national infrastructure in which semiconductors, power, water, and data converge. The “AI Index Report” published by The Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) likewise highlights the industrial significance of AIDCs and the explosive investment and development surrounding them. Alongside the in-house AIDC development undertaken by Korea’s telecommunications, platform, and systems integration (SI) companies, global hyperscalers continue to invest in Korea.
The development and conversion of AIDCs is not merely an AI/IT matter; it is a large-scale, convergent undertaking in which real estate, finance, energy, environmental regulation, and administrative regulation are all intertwined. To proactively respond to this market demand, Jipyong operates its AI-Infra Center, with the IP & IT Group at its center, bringing together specialist attorneys across a range of fields, including construction and real estate, finance and REITs, public policy, and ESG. We provide one-stop legal advice across the entire AIDC life cycle—from the planning stage through applying for licenses and permits, large-scale financing, AIDC operations, and incident response.
Jipyong’s AI-Infra Center has extensive AIDC advisory experience, including comprehensive legal advice on the National AI Computing Center Development Project. Through close collaboration with our Project REITs Integrated Support Center, ESG & Responsible Business Center, Climate & Energy Center, Public Policy Solutions Center, and Jipyong Technology Law Center, as well as our Technology, Media & Telecommunications Team, ranked first in the IT/TMT field by Korea Law Times, the Center delivers differentiated solutions across every facet of AIDC projects.
Key Practice Areas Close
- Advisory on site acquisition, construction and development permits, and regulatory compliance
- Advisory on power and water supply agreements and power grid impact assessments
- Advisory on project financing (PF), SPC establishment, and the design of REIT-based financing structures
- Structuring investment agreements (MOUs) with local governments and public institutions, as well as project contracts
- Monitoring and advising on compliance with relevant legislation and regulation, including the Special Act on the Promotion of the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Industry
- Advisory on bidding and contracting for public-sector AIDC projects and review of legal risks
- Personal information protection, data security, and AI regulatory compliance in connection with AIDC operations
- Cyber incident response and dispute resolution
- Advisory on AIDC-related M&A, technology transfers, and intellectual property transactions
- Environmental and ESG risk management and permits
Experience Close
- Advised on the execution of an implementation agreement and the establishment of an SPC for the development of the National AI Computing Center
- Advised on measures to expand computing infrastructure, including the formation of an AI Computing Infrastructure Committee
- Advised on asset transfers and financial support for the development of an AI computing center
- Advised on the Public Notice on Methods of Performing the Obligation to Ensure AI Safety and related guidelines
- Advised on the "AI Support Desk" initiative
- Advised on a government-wide AX (AI transformation) consulting initiative
- Advised on copyright and personal information protection matters arising from the use of public data to train AI
- Advised on copyright matters concerning the outputs of an AI music-generation platform
- Advised on copyright matters relating to an illustration-generating AI model
- Advised on personal information matters relating to AI model weights
- Represented a client in an invalidation trial concerning an AI technology patent and secured a decision invalidating the counterparty's patent
- Advised an AI company on resolving issues related to personal information protection and other key regulations
- Advised on potential copyright infringement and related risks in an AI service
- Advised on key personal information issues, including the unauthorized processing of personal information by an AI chatbot service and the unauthorized provision of personal information in connection with a comprehensive income tax refund service
- Provided strategic counsel to an AI company on navigating regulatory challenges
- Advised on the business-structure design and legal compliance of an AI short-form video platform
- Advised on copyright issues arising from data collection, including the legality of crawling and scraping and temporary reproduction
