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Data center construction sparks NIMBY opposition amid Korea's big AI push


In Seoul's Guro District, protests against a data center construction reflect local concerns over health, noise and property values. As demand for AI-driven data centers surges, projects face delays, calling for better regulations and incentives.

It’s one of many such projects taking shape across the greater Seoul area amid a surge in demand fueled by the AI boom, a trend further accelerated by the Lee Jae Myung administration’s push to invest in the technology. Local resistance fires up Seventeen out of 33 data centers that had received construction permits in the capital area were experiencing delays, according to a 2024 report by global real estate services firm Savills Korea. In February 2024, Goyang City attempted to hold a public briefing to address the potential risks and safety concerns surrounding data centers, but the meeting was canceled amid strong local protests.

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