Alibaba Cloud launches third data center in South Korea to expand AI and cloud capacity

Alibaba Cloud has launched its third data center in South Korea, marking another significant step in the company's long-term commitment to the country's cloud market. The new facility, announced on August 18, 2026, arrives just over a year after the company added its second data center location in the region, underscoring the rapid pace of expansion in one of Asia's most dynamic digital economies.

While the company has not disclosed the specific locations of its data centers in South Korea, the majority of the country's data center infrastructure is concentrated in and around the capital city of Seoul. The new addition is expected to substantially increase Alibaba Cloud's capacity in the country, supporting a growing demand for cloud services and AI-driven applications among South Korean enterprises.

The launch is part of Alibaba Cloud's broader $53 billion global investment commitment to expand its cloud footprint across international markets. The company has maintained a presence in South Korea since 2016, initially offering cloud and digital transformation services to enterprises before launching its first data center in the country in 2022. With the addition of this third facility, Alibaba Cloud now operates a more robust and resilient infrastructure network in the region.

The new data center will deliver a comprehensive range of cloud services, including compute, storage, networking, security, and database solutions, as well as advanced AI offerings. This expanded service portfolio is designed to meet the evolving needs of South Korean businesses that are increasingly adopting cloud and AI technologies to drive innovation and operational efficiency.

“South Korea is a key market where Alibaba Cloud has continued to make long-term investments,” said Yongjoon Yoon, country manager of South Korea at Alibaba Cloud Intelligence. “The third data center is not merely an infrastructure expansion. It is an investment to help South Korean enterprises operate AI and cloud-based services more reliably. Alibaba Cloud will continue to support the digital transformation of South Korean businesses with robust, scalable, and secure cloud infrastructure and AI services.”

The expansion in South Korea is part of a wider global push by Alibaba Cloud, which has recently added new locations in France, Japan, Malaysia, and Mexico. The company now operates 104 availability zones across 30 regions worldwide, positioning itself as a major player in the global cloud infrastructure market. Industry analysts view this continued investment as a strategic move to strengthen Alibaba Cloud's competitive position against other global hyperscalers, particularly in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region where demand for cloud and AI services is surging.