Launch of Public-Private-Academic Joint 'AI Strategy Supreme Threat Council'
Total 710 Billion Won Invested in AI Everyday Life Projects
Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT (center) is attending the 'AI Strategy Supreme Council Inaugural Ceremony and 1st Meeting' held on the 4th at the FKI Tower in Yeouido, Seoul, greeting Kyung Kye-hyun, President of Samsung Electronics DS Division (left). On the right in the photo is Yoo Young-sang, CEO of SKT. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@
The Ministry of Science and ICT has launched the 'AI Strategy Supreme Council' with the goal of propelling South Korea into one of the top three AI powerhouses. Government, corporate, and private experts are coming together to devise strategies for fostering AI technology and spreading AI across the economy and society. If the goal is achieved, the annual economic impact is expected to reach 310 trillion won.
Countries Engaged in AI War... Business Leaders Fully Mobilized
At the launch ceremony of the AI Strategy Supreme Council held on the 4th at the FKI Tower in Yeouido, Seoul, Minister Lee said, "A fierce global competition to secure AI competitiveness is unfolding, truly an 'AI war' is underway," adding, "Along with massive corporate investments, the government is announcing large-scale budget support and tax incentives one after another."
He continued, "This meeting was organized to pool AI capabilities and leap to become the undisputed global G3 in the AI field," and said, "We plan to invest 710 billion won in national, industrial, and public projects for AI normalization, and will seek the council's opinions to create strategies for AI technological advancement and innovative growth."
Industry attendees included Kyung Kye-hyun, President of Samsung Electronics DS Division; Kim Seung-hwan, CEO of Amorepacific; Kim Young-seop, CEO of KT; Yoo Young-sang, CEO of SK Telecom; Choi Soo-yeon, CEO of Naver; Jeong Shin-ah, CEO of Kakao; Jeong Sang-won, CEO of ESTsoft; Park Sung-hyun, CEO of Rebellion; and Lee Beom-gyu, CEO of Team Sparta.
Minister Lee and Yeom Jae-ho, President of Taejae University, serve as co-chairs. The council was launched with a total of 32 members, including 23 top private experts representing AI fields such as AI semiconductors, policy, law and systems, and talent, as well as seven senior government officials from key ministries. Additionally, an external advisory group called the 'Super-large AI Promotion Council,' composed of over 100 domestic super-large AI companies and SMEs/startups, was established.
Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT, along with AI industry and academic officials, are attending the "AI Strategy Supreme Council Inaugural Ceremony and 1st Meeting" held on the 4th at the FKI Tower in Yeouido, Seoul, taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@
The council plays a role in proposing and advising on policies for expanding AI infrastructure, research and development (R&D), and securing future core technologies, as well as safe AI utilization policies such as AI ethics. The government will jointly prepare and implement action plans based on the discussions held within the council.
Annual Economic Impact of 310 Trillion Won... GDP Increase of 1.8 Percentage Points
According to an analysis jointly conducted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the global consulting firm Bain & Company, if South Korea successfully introduces AI across the economy and society, an annual economic effect of 310 trillion won (as of 2026) is expected. This includes 126 trillion won from increased sales through AI-converged new product launches and 187 trillion won from cost savings such as automation.
By sector, the effects are composed of 136 trillion won in services (44.4% of total effect), 77 trillion won in manufacturing (25.2%), and 24 trillion won in the ICT industry (7.8%). If the sales increase effect from AI adoption translates into GDP growth, an additional average annual economic growth effect of about 1.8 percentage points is expected.
On this day, the government viewed the AI revolution as an opportunity to solve structural problems such as low growth and low birth rates, and reported the 'AI and Digital Innovation Growth Strategy' to leap into one of the top three AI powerhouses. The main points of the strategy include ▲ leading global market AI technology innovation ▲ accelerating AI transformation across all industries ▲ pioneering AI adoption in citizens' daily lives ▲ promoting the establishment of a digital new order.
Nationwide AI Expansion Across All Industries... 710 Billion Won Invested
The government will invest a total of 710.2 billion won this year to promote AI expansion in citizens' daily lives, industrial sites, and government administration, carrying out 69 projects.
Specifically, 18 projects with high public impact such as health and disease management and care will be promoted with an investment of 75.5 billion won. To promote AI convergence in workplaces, 288.2 billion won will be invested in 24 projects. For embedding AI in public administration, 115.7 billion won will be invested in 14 projects. This includes disaster preparedness for fires and floods, promoting AI use in public administration to solve social issues and improve the quality of public services. Lastly, 230.9 billion won will be invested in 13 projects to enhance citizens' AI utilization capabilities and expand safe AI infrastructure including ethics.
Yeom Jae-ho, President of Taejae University, said, "I hope the council becomes a venue where cooperation beyond private and public sectors, ministries, and fields is realized for pioneering, challenging, and innovating on an uncharted path with the determination to become the world's best AI powerhouse," adding, "I expect the council to produce tangible results that citizens can feel and become a global model."
Park Sang-wook, Chief of Science and Technology at the Presidential Office who attended the event, said, "I hope the council actively supports innovative and challenging AI research and the establishment of an AI innovation ecosystem," and added, "We will join forces with related ministries and top private experts participating in the council to achieve the leap to become one of the top three AI powerhouses."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
