South Korea's Deputy Prime Minister Says AI Data Center Regulation After U.S. Midterms Needs Monitoring

According to ChainCatcher citing Yonhap News Agency, South Korean Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Lee Hyeong-il said tighter U.S. regulation of AI data centers following the Democratic Party's midterm election victory remains a concern, but no unusual developments have emerged and the situation needs further monitoring. He was responding to an opposition lawmaker's question about whether political pressure could affect a gas-fired power plant, the first project under South Korea's U.S. investment plan. A first vice minister at South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT said restrictions on U.S. data center investment could lead hyperscale operators to turn to South Korea, potentially creating an opportunity. The government is monitoring developments and their effects on related industries and U.S. industry responses. Asked whether recent controversy involving Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang could affect agreed GPU supplies, Lee said delivery would proceed smoothly without problems.