The 3rd Strategic Planning Investment Council Meeting Held
Decided to Expand R&D in Semiconductors, Robots, and AI
Battery safety, next-generation nuclear fuel, liquid hydrogen carriers, and gallium oxide semiconductors have been added to the super-gap research and development (R&D) projects. In 2026, research and development (R&D) in semiconductors, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI) will be significantly expanded.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Strategic Planning Division of the Ministry held the 3rd Strategic Planning Investment Council on the 5th at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, reviewing three agenda items: the direction for planning new projects in 2026, adjustments to the super-gap projects, and the promotion plan for new projects in 2025. They also discussed the current status of investments and improvement directions to activate the industrial use of artificial intelligence (AI).
First, ahead of the 2026 budget allocation, the direction for planning new research and development (R&D) projects was discussed. The government decided to significantly increase investments in fiercely competitive technology sectors such as semiconductors, robotics, and AI. Additionally, a strategy to rapidly internalize overseas technologies through global open innovation will be introduced.
At the meeting, it was decided to add new technologies and products to the super-gap projects, including battery safety technology for electric vehicle fire response, highly concentrated next-generation nuclear fuel, liquid hydrogen carrier technology, and gallium oxide semiconductors. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Strategic Planning Division announced the roadmap for 45 super-gap projects across 11 sectors with specific missions at the 2nd meeting in May, based on which they decided to invest 560 billion KRW in 713 tasks in 2024.
Three specialized institutions?the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, the Korea Institute for Industrial Technology Promotion, and the Korea Energy Technology Evaluation Institute?presented the planning status of new projects for 2025 and reviewed the investment details. Approximately 1,190 new projects worth 850 billion KRW (based on the government proposal) will be promoted in 2025. These projects mainly focus on implementing super-gap projects, overcoming industrial challenges, internalizing materials, parts, and equipment, and utilizing AI in manufacturing and research and development.
In addition, the Strategic Planning Division analyzed over 13,000 AI-related technology development projects invested by the government, including the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, over the past five years and reported investment directions to rapidly utilize and spread AI in industrial sectors going forward.
The Strategic Planning Division proposed expanding AI sector investments, which currently account for only 2.8% of the Ministry’s R&D budget, presenting investment models by industry and company level, and emphasized the need for training specialized personnel in industrial sites, building data platforms, and supplying shared-use solutions.
The Strategic Planning Investment Council, held for the third time this year, is a forum where the public and private sectors discuss strategies for industrial and energy research and development (R&D) investments together.
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