Science and ICT Minister Nominee Baek Kyunghun: "Collaboration, Communication, and Action... Realizing Korea as a Top 3 AI Power"

On the Way to the Confirmation Hearing Preparation on the 24th
Developer of Korea's AI Model 'Exaone'
"Creating an Environment Where Every Citizen Can Utilize AI"

"I will become a minister who collaborates more broadly with experts from all walks of life, communicates continuously with the field, and works actively on the ground."

Science and ICT Minister nominee Baek Kyunghun is stating his position as he arrives at the confirmation hearing preparation office set up at Gwanghwamun Post Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on June 24, 2025. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

Science and ICT Minister nominee Baek Kyunghun expressed this ambition as he arrived at the confirmation hearing preparation office set up at Gwanghwamun Post Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on June 24, 2025. Born in 1976, Baek is the youngest nominee ever for the position of Science and ICT Minister.

He stated, "As someone who has been involved in artificial intelligence (AI) research and development in the industrial field, I consider it an immense honor to be able to devote my accumulated experience and expertise to the advancement of the Republic of Korea."

He also pledged, "I will do my utmost to faithfully implement President Lee Jaemyung's top pledge of making Korea one of the world's top three AI powerhouses, and to drive genuine growth based on science and technology."

Regarding the level of AI technology in Korea, he emphasized, "I believe we have great potential. If our computing infrastructure and data are further supplemented, we can develop world-class AI and create a robust service ecosystem." Baek previously stated at an emergency meeting organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT in February?after China shocked the world with the development of DeepSeek?that the level of Korea's AI industry has been underestimated.

In a Q&A session with reporters, he mentioned, "According to the 'AI Index Report 2025' from Stanford University in the United States, a Korean model was listed as a noteworthy global AI, and this year, even more AI models from Korea will emerge at a world-class level." The only domestic AI model included in this year's report by Stanford's research institute was Exaone 3.5 from LG AI Research Institute, and Baek was the leading figure behind its development.

When asked about the AI policy he considers most important, he responded, "It is no longer possible to specify a particular field, as AI must now be integrated into every industrial and technological sector. My primary goal is to apply AI across all areas and to establish an environment where every citizen can make effective use of AI."

When asked about the scale of AI investment, he said, "The key question is whether we will create AI that is used only in Korea or whether we will challenge ourselves to develop AI at a global level. To make Korea one of the world's top three AI powerhouses, greater investment is necessary."

Regarding his expertise in fields of science and technology beyond AI, he said, "Before I am an AI expert, I am fundamentally a scientist and technologist. As you know, the emergence of world-class technologies such as AlphaFold and RoseTTAFold in protein structure prediction was made possible by the combination of AI and basic scientific research."

He continued, "I believe that basic scientific research is especially important for achieving significant results in bio and manufacturing fields, and I will work to effectively connect basic scientific research with the AI ecosystem."

He also mentioned his experience at LG Uplus, adding, "Because I have experience in the telecommunications industry, I believe I can also play a meaningful role in the field of information and communications technology (ICT)."

Regarding the potential restructuring of the Ministry of Science and ICT, such as separating broadcasting and telecommunications sectors, he said, "It is difficult to provide detailed comments on the operation of the ministry at this time, but I will clarify my position after I have a better understanding of the work."