[Policy Analysis] 'AI Pledges' Presented as a National Solution... Missing the 'How'

100 Trillion Won AI Fund and 50,000 GPUs
Presidential Candidates Make Big Promises, But Lack Substance
Experts Say, "All Talk, No Concrete Plans"

The most significant difference in the 21st presidential election compared to previous elections is the prominence of "artificial intelligence (AI)" in policy pledges. In the past, AI was regarded as just one of several strategic industries to be fostered. Now, it is considered a core industry crucial for future survival. Although every presidential candidate has presented strategies for AI development, there are criticisms that these strategies lack concrete plans for industry promotion and focus only on vision.

Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party candidate; Kim Moonsu, the People Power Party candidate; and Lee Junseok, the Reform New Party candidate, all recognize AI as a future growth engine that will enhance the competitiveness of the Korean economy and transform the industrial and social ecosystem. They also promise to cultivate talent, establish an industrial ecosystem, expand infrastructure, and increase investment.

Candidate Lee Jaemyung has also pledged growth driven by large-scale public investment and the "AI for All" project, which aims to provide free access to AI at an advanced country level. He stated, "We will usher in the era of 100 trillion won in AI investment," and added, "We will secure at least 50,000 GPUs (graphics processing units), which are core assets for AI, and actively support the development and demonstration of AI-dedicated NPUs (neural processing units) to secure technological sovereignty." He also emphasized power generation through renewable energy in relation to data centers, which require massive amounts of electricity.

Candidate Kim Moonsu also emphasizes large-scale investment in AI and the cultivation of talent. He differentiates himself by stressing the establishment of an ecosystem led by the private sector when it comes to investment. Candidate Lee Junseok has proposed opening up AI training data, laying the groundwork for securing competitiveness in LLMs (large language models), and piloting a data special zone in Busan.

Experts explain that it is difficult to see significant differentiation among the candidates' pledges. Choi Kyungjin, professor of law at Gachon University and president of the Korea Artificial Intelligence Law Society, said, "Candidate Lee Jaemyung takes a broad and comprehensive approach, while candidate Kim Moonsu seems to consider the linkage with previous government energy policies, and candidate Lee Junseok presents more specific points."

However, there are concerns that recent discussions on AI are shifting toward the issue of energy sources. Candidates Kim Moonsu and Lee Junseok argue that nuclear power should be used as a stable energy source, while candidate Lee Jaemyung emphasizes eco-friendliness and expresses the view that electricity should be supplied mainly through renewable energy. Regarding this, Professor Choi commented, "Ultimately, it is a matter of values," and added, "It is important to establish a portfolio that fits Korea."

There are also criticisms that the AI policies of candidates Lee Jaemyung and Kim Moonsu lack specific details regarding funding sources. Lee Sungyeop, professor at Korea University's Graduate School of Technology Management, pointed out, "They lack specificity," and added, "In particular, there is no mention of attracting overseas AI talent."

An industry insider who requested anonymity said, "While there are enough entry-level and mid-level developers, there may be a shortage of senior developers, and there is no strategy for this issue." Regarding pledges such as the creation of a 100 trillion won fund and securing GPUs, the insider assessed, "There is no plan for how to achieve the AI transformation (AX)." The insider also pointed out, "Even the government's previously announced goal of securing 18,000 GPUs is not easy, and there is no concrete plan for supplying 50,000 units."