Where can I find information on the data center licensing process?

The process—from preliminary reviews of project sites and land use to consultations with relevant agencies, design documentation, permits, reviews, and evaluations, through to groundbreaking and occupancy permits—can be found in the Guide to Data Center Permitting and Licensing Procedures.

What does data center licensing agency management entail?

The development project manager manages the complete list of permits and licenses, the responsible specialized firms, consultations with relevant agencies, schedules, supplementary requirements, permit conditions, and the data room. Design, evaluation, and legal tasks requiring licenses or certifications are performed by the relevant specialized agencies.

What stages are displayed in the data center licensing database?

Planning and review, licensing process in progress, licensing completed, groundbreaking and construction, occupancy permit, and operation are categorized based on different criteria and verification dates.

Does obtaining a building permit mean that power for the data center has been secured?

No. Building and development permits, KEPCO’s supply review, the electricity service agreement, and the commencement of service are separate documents and procedures.

Are all broadcasting and telecommunications facilities data centers?

No. We do not determine a building’s use solely based on “Architecture HUB”; instead, we cross-reference information from operators, public disclosures, news reports, and on-site data to determine whether a facility is a data center.

OFFICIAL PERMIT INTELLIGENCE · 5 YEARS

Data Center
Database of Licensing and Permitting Stages

For entries in the Architecture HUB Director’s list that explicitly mention data centers, retain only those that match the Verification Center’s entries, and distinguish between planning, permitting, groundbreaking, occupancy permit, and operation.

Data Center Licensing78

Link incidents on the same parcel to a single project site

Permit and Licensing Cases90

Retain original copies of permits, construction commencement notices, and occupancy permits

Data Center Specifications76

Check directly under “Building Name” or “Other Uses”

Verification Center on the Same Plot of Land2

Master record matching the official center address

Excludes non-data centers361

Broadcasting, Studio, Control Center, and General Telecommunications Facilities

Accurate coordinate linking9

Verification of lot and building coordinates completed

2026 AIDC SPECIAL ACT · OFFICIAL CHECK

The effective date of the AIDC Special Act and
Checklist for Bundled Licensing and Permitting

As of August 28, 2026. Although the law has been enacted, it has not yet taken effect; therefore, we do not assume that special provisions will be immediately applied to current projects, and we will reconfirm the enforcement decree, scope of application, transitional measures, and individual project conditions.

01Date of Promulgation and Effective DatePublished on June 9, 2026
Effective March 10, 2027

Act No. 21759 will take effect nine months after its promulgation. We are currently in the preparatory period for its implementation.

02Batch Processing of Permits and LicensesMinistry of Science and ICT One-Stop Service

A procedure is scheduled to be introduced to process permits and approvals from various relevant agencies in a single batch following deliberation and resolution by the National AI Strategy Committee.

03Processing Time ManagementIntroduction of a Timeout System

Regarding the processing deadlines and deeming provisions of relevant agencies, you must verify the enforcement decrees, applicable permits and licenses, and required documents before actually submitting an application.

04Power Supply Outside the Capital RegionVerify exemption requirements on a case-by-case basis

Special exemptions from the power system impact assessment for non-metropolitan AIDCs below a certain size are determined by comparing their location, capacity, whether they are new or expanded, and whether they are being converted, against the applicable sub-criteria.

Documents the operator needs to prepare now

Project Site Address, PNU, Land Title, and Zoning
Target IT Load, PUE, Contracted Power, and Phase-by-Phase Implementation Schedule
List of Consultations for Construction, Development, Transportation, Environment, and Fire Safety
Original text for each stage of power supply review, application, and contract
Location within the Seoul Metropolitan Area; whether the facility is new construction, an expansion, or a conversion; and history of existing permits and approvals

PROJECT STATUS LADDER

Status of Disclosure by Stage

Do not conflate “permit,” “construction start,” “occupancy permit,” and “operation” as a single status.

01Planning and Review0items

Official grounds for pre-permit approval, including business plans, design, transportation, and environmental factors

02Permit and Licensing Process0items

Processing applications for review or permits for construction and development activities

03Licensing Complete23items

Date of building permit confirmed; date of groundbreaking unconfirmed

04Groundbreaking and Construction29items

Verify the construction commencement notification or the basis for construction progress

05Operational Approval22items

Verify the date of use approval or the basis for completion as recorded in the Architecture HUB

06Operations4items

Cross-check with official operational data from the operator

RESEARCH PRO

Detailed Register of 5-Year Licenses and Permits

Detailed Address

Status of Lot, Region, and Coordinate Verification

Administrative Date

Dates of Permit Issuance, Construction Start, and Occupancy Permit

Official Basis

Original Link · Date Verified · Classification Basis

Advanced Filters

Search by Center Name, Operator, Region, or Phase

Data CenterDatabase of Licensing and Permitting Stages

Status of Disclosure by Stage

Detailed Register of 5-Year Licenses and Permits

Data Center
Database of Licensing and Permitting Stages