Ruling and Opposition Parties Scramble Over DeepSeek Shock... Will They Find Common Ground on Semiconductor Act and AI Budget?

Ruling and Opposition Parties Hold Emergency Meetings on DeepSeek Shock
Will the Special Semiconductor Act and AI Supplementary Budget Gain Momentum?

As both the ruling and opposition parties seek countermeasures in response to the shock caused by Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) startup DeepSeek, they have ignited discussions on legislation closely related to AI development. Attention is focused on whether ongoing debates over the Special Semiconductor Act and the supplementary budget bill, which includes increased funding for AI, will find common ground.

Yonhap News Agency

According to political sources on February 3, the Democratic Party of Korea's Special Committee on Science and Technology Innovation will hold an emergency meeting on February 4 regarding the DeepSeek shock. The meeting, held together with the Korea Artificial Intelligence Association, will discuss strategies for advancing AI. Hwang Jeonga, chair of the committee, stated, "Just as DeepSeek shocked the world, we must make every effort to become a powerhouse in future technologies such as AI."

Previously, on January 31, the People Power Party's Special Committee for Leapfrogging into the World’s Top Three AI Powers (AI Special Committee) held an emergency meeting to respond to the impact of DeepSeek. The meeting was attended by interim leader Kwon Youngse, Policy Committee Chair Kim Sanghoon, and Representative Ahn Cheolsoo, who chairs the AI Special Committee, among other leaders.

There is also active discussion on semiconductors and power grids, which are closely linked to the AI industry. On the morning of February 3, Democratic Party leader Lee Jaemyung held a forum on the Special Semiconductor Act, exchanging opinions on issues such as exemptions to the 52-hour workweek cap for semiconductor research and development (R&D) personnel.

The People Power Party plans to hold an on-site meeting at the Pyeongtaek Godeok Substation on February 5 to deliver a message on expanding the national power grid. The Pyeongtaek Substation supplies electricity to Samsung Electronics’ Pyeongtaek Campus, the world’s largest semiconductor production base. At the meeting, the party is expected to call for the swift passage of the National Backbone Power Grid Expansion Act and other energy-related bills, known as the "Three Energy Acts."

Both parties share the view that South Korea must not fall behind in the increasingly intense global competition for AI supremacy fueled by the DeepSeek shock. This is why there is speculation that discussions this week could rapidly accelerate the passage of the Special Semiconductor Act or the supplementary budget bill.