OpenAI discusses cooperation with Korean political parties ahead of presidential election

OpenAI Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon speaks during a roundtable at Four Seasons hotel in central Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

Key officials from artificial intelligence (AI) giant OpenAI met with officials from Korea’s main liberal and conservative parties just over a week ahead of the June 3 presidential election, in what appears to be a strategic move to build policy cooperation with the incoming administration.

OpenAI also announced plans to open a Korea office in the coming months to establish a local presence, adding that it is exploring a cooperation model similar to the one it has with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), members of the liberal party's special committee on digital affairs met OpenAI Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon and OpenAI Managing Director Oliver Jay at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, Monday.

During the meeting, Lim Moon-young, the DPK committee’s head, stressed that the party’s presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung pledged to make Korea “a global AI powerhouse where all citizens can benefit from AI,” and his camp is considering “a national fund."

Lim added that Korea will prioritize establishing infrastructure such as power and internet networks essential for data centers, adding, “we would provide full support if OpenAI decides to invest in Korea.”

In response, Kwon said that OpenAI aims to work with the Korean government and people to realize “AI by Korea, for Korea and of Korea,” adding that Korea has a full-stack capability ranging from chip infrastructure and human resources to internet platforms.

The meeting aligned with Lee’s campaign pledge to position the AI industry as a new economic growth driver. As part of this vision, Lee pledged to establish a 100 trillion won ($73.21 billion) sovereign fund to foster the AI sector and raise the government’s AI budget to a level comparable to those of global leaders.

People Power Party Rep. Choi Hyung-du, right, shakes hands with OpenAI Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon during their meeting at the National Assembly on Yeouido, Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

Later in the day, the OpenAI officials met members of the AI and science policy committee of the conservative People Power Party (PPP).

PPP Rep. Choi Hyung-du said they had a broad discussion on cooperative measures for OpenAI’s Korean office and the country’s AI infrastructure.

Before meeting with PPP officials, Kwon told reporters that the company has already set up a corporate entity in Korea, and its office here will be established in the next couple of months.

He said the Seoul office will be OpenAI’s third Asian branch, following offices in Tokyo and Singapore. It is part of OpenAI’s initiative called OpenAI for Countries aimed at helping governments develop their own AI infrastructure.

As part of the initiative, OpenAI announced last week that it will launch the Stargate UAE project to build a 1-gigawatt data center cluster in the UAE, in partnership with Emirati AI firm G42.

Citing the UAE partnership, Kwon said the company is interested in pursuing a similar cooperation model in Korea, but did not specify whether there are plans to set up a data center in Korea.

Kakao CEO Chung Shin-a, left, poses with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman during a press conference at The Plaza Seoul hotel, Feb. 4. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

OpenAI said it has partnered with Korean companies, including messaging giant Kakao, game developer Krafton and mobile carrier SK Telecom, to collaborate on AI technology and data center development.

During his visit to Seoul in February, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman formed a strategic collaboration with Kakao and agreed to enhance Kakao’s services by leveraging OpenAI’s advanced AI technology.

“OpenAI’s decision highlights the strength and momentum of Korea’s growing AI ecosystem and its innovative impact on daily lives,” Kakao CEO Chung Shin-a said in a congratulatory message.

“Kakao is thrilled to deepen our partnership with OpenAI, accelerating the adoption of advanced AI technologies and services for all Korean users. We look forward to the multiplier effects this presence will bring, and by combining our strengths, aim to foster new opportunities, bring and broadly benefit world-class AI closer to the daily lives of Koreans.”