Korea and BlackRock have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to launch a strategic partnership aimed at making Korea the AI capital of Asia through large-scale investments in AI infrastructure and renewable energy. The agreement was formalized on September 22 in New York City during a meeting between President Lee Jae Myung and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, who also serves as interim co-chair of the World Economic Forum.
The partnership focuses on building advanced data centers to anchor Korea as a key Asia-Pacific hub for AI infrastructure, while also integrating the country into global AI projects. Over the next five years, Korea and BlackRock will collaborate on large-scale investments supporting AI-driven renewable energy initiatives, combining technology leadership with sustainable growth.
BlackRock, which manages US$12.5 trillion in assets, is already a founding member of the AI Infrastructure Partnership alongside Microsoft, Nvidia, and xAI. The group is spearheading global investments in AI and renewable energy systems.
The meeting was attended by senior Korean and international leaders, including Industry and Energy Minister Kim Jung-kwan, Democratic Party lawmaker Cha Ji-ho, Global Infrastructure Partners chairman Adebayo Ogunlesi, and former World Bank president Jim Yong Kim.
By aligning with the world’s largest asset manager and global technology leaders, Korea is advancing its ambition to become a regional hub for AI innovation, sustainable energy, and digital transformation.
