Yoo Sang-im, Ministry of Science and ICT: "Growth Engine Driving the Future Must Not Stop"

Emphasis on the Importance of Support Work in Science and Digital Fields at Expanded Executive Meeting
"Deeply Aware of Heavy Responsibility as a Cabinet Member in Recent Serious Situation"

Minister Yoo Sang-im of the Ministry of Science and ICT. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Yoo Sang-im, Minister of Science and ICT, emphasized that "we must steadfastly pursue key tasks to ensure that the growth engines driving the future of science, technology, and digital innovation do not come to a halt."

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT on the 16th, Minister Yoo urged ministry officials during an expanded executive meeting held that morning to unite efforts in overcoming low growth and stabilizing livelihoods through science, technology, and digital transformation.

He stated, "As a member of the State Council, I deeply feel the heavy responsibility regarding the recent severe situation," and urged, "In this crisis marked by political instability, domestic demand contraction, and declining credibility, the public service must maintain its center and navigate through."

Minister Yoo stressed that the Ministry of Science and ICT is a leading agency for the future, and that science, technology, and digital innovation are the growth engines driving the future. He said, "To prevent the growth engines from stopping, even in these grave circumstances, we must unwaveringly push forward key tasks to overcome low growth and stabilize livelihoods."

In this regard, Minister Yoo instructed the ministry to swiftly and boldly implement policies to secure global leadership, commercialize technologies, and nurture talent in the three major game-changing technologies under its responsibility: artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors, advanced bio, and quantum fields. He emphasized the need to be fully prepared to ensure digital communication services and cybersecurity, and ordered closer cooperation with related ministries to advance livelihood tasks such as support for small business owners and combating voice phishing.

He also pledged to intensify communication to secure the enactment and budget for the AI Basic Act, which is currently delayed in parliamentary discussions, and to build trust with industry-academia-research sectors by enhancing communication with the field. Minister Yoo announced plans to establish regular meetings on major policy issues. On the same day, he actively engaged in external activities, including visits to the Korea Energy Technology Research Institute and the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy in Daejeon.

Minister Yoo further instructed that livelihood tasks such as support measures for small business owners and voice phishing prevention be promoted through even closer cooperation with related ministries.