On October 23, SK Hyper, the newly established data center business unit of SK Group, is in talks with major tech companies and financial investors to secure funding for its massive data center construction project. The project, estimated to cost US$350 billion, aims to build data centers with a total capacity of 15 gigawatts in South Korea by 2035. Despite market concerns about future demand, the global boom in artificial intelligence infrastructure construction continues. Chung Suk-geun, CEO of SK Hyper, revealed that the first phase of construction, totaling 5 gigawatts, alone requires US$350 billion, covering equipment costs. The company plans to complete its first round of external financing by the end of this year or early 2027 and continue raising funds over the next three to four years. Chung Suk-geun also stated that SK will share construction costs with data center tenants and external investors.