Ministry of Science and ICT "Establishing National AI Strategy... Launch of National Committee for Bio and Quantum Fields"

AI Safety Research Institute Opens... Promoting Inclusion Act
Goal to Become a 'Top 5 Space Power by 2045'
Government R&D Budget of 29.7 Trillion Won Invested

The government plans to enact the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Basic Act within this year and establish a 'National AI Strategy' to become one of the top three global AI powers. Additionally, it will launch national committees for the bio and quantum fields to create a public-private support system.

Minister Yoo Sang-im of the Ministry of Science and ICT is giving a briefing on the "Achievements and Future Plans in the Science, Technology, and Digital Sectors of the Yoon Suk-yeol Administration" on the afternoon of the 15th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by the Ministry of Science and ICT

On the 17th, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced the achievements in science, technology, and digital sectors over the two and a half years since the inauguration of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, along with future plans. Minister Yoo Sang-im stated at a briefing on the 15th, "We will establish a National AI Strategy that concretizes the blueprint for becoming one of the top three global AI powers," and added, "We are fully committed to enacting the AI Basic Act within this year."

Efforts will also be made to ensure that everyone can enjoy digital benefits without discrimination and to secure AI safety. The 'AI Safety Research Institute,' which will lead domestic and international AI safety research, will open on the 27th. Based on this, the government plans to lead the global digital order and respond to urgent issues in the AI and digital era in cooperation with related ministries.

In the latter half of the government's term, it plans to promote the enactment of the 'Digital Inclusion Act' to ensure that no citizen is left behind and everyone can enjoy digital benefits.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Space Agency are expanding innovative research and development (R&D) and industrial support with the goal of becoming one of the world's top five space powers by 2045. Next year, the capabilities of South Korea will be tested once again with the fourth launch of the Nuri rocket carrying Korean satellites, and by 2027, a budget of 40 billion won will be invested to actively develop reusable launch vehicles.

The government has focused on developing core technologies such as quantum computers, communications, and sensors, as well as nurturing talent and establishing institutional foundations. In addition, within this year, national committees for advanced bio and quantum fields will be launched to complete a full public-private support system together with the National AI Committee.

Next year, based on leading R&D innovation, the government has allocated the largest-ever R&D budget of 29.7 trillion won. Going forward, emphasis will also be placed on technology commercialization to ensure that R&D outcomes lead to new industries and future growth engines.

Twenty-five government-funded research institutes in science and technology will be excluded from public institutions to increase operational autonomy, such as recruiting outstanding talent. Last month, the 'Global TOP Strategic Research Group' was launched to eliminate barriers between institutions and collaborate to achieve national missions such as strategic technologies. As a hub that consolidates industry-academia-research capabilities, continuous support systems will be established, including appropriate budgets and evaluation systems befitting innovative research institutions.

The Ministry of Science and ICT has strengthened response systems, including legal amendments and the establishment of dedicated organizations, to ensure digital safety following incidents such as the Kakao service disruption.

In the field of cybersecurity, focused investments were made based on nurturing 100,000 talents, and as a result, the ministry stated that South Korea has enhanced its status as a leading country by winning the global hacking defense competition Defcon for three consecutive years.