[Digital Today reporter Jin-ho Lee] Baek Kyung-hoon (배경훈), deputy prime minister and minister of science and ICT, said of a special law on AI data centres facing differences among ministries that "the core of AIDC is the power issue, so we cannot concede on that part".

Baek told reporters after a meeting with the heads of the three mobile carriers on April 9 at the Korea Federation of Science and Technology Societies building in Seoul's Gangnam district that the power issue for AIDC is extremely important and that he will work to ensure that part passes in its original form.

The AIDC special law, currently pending at the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, includes as main provisions streamlined licensing procedures for operators, relaxed siting regulations, and support to secure power and water. Differences continue between the Ministry of Science and ICT and related ministries over ways to secure power.

The key issue is whether to introduce an exemption for power purchase agreements, or PPA, to allow AIDC operators to buy electricity directly from power generators. The Ministry of Science and ICT says that to respond to a surge in power demand, renewable energy and liquefied natural gas, or LNG, based PPAs should be allowed only outside the Seoul metropolitan area. The Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy, by contrast, is reluctant, citing reasons such as fairness with other industries.

Baek said he has been hearing many voices from companies operating AIDC and will explain and help them understand those points, and plans to include them so they can accept PPAs as well.

Asked when the bill would pass, he replied, "The committee is pending today and will proceed next week, and I believe it will move forward soon."