[Launch of Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology] ① Former Deputy Prime Minister Oh Myung: "AI Must Solve Longstanding Issues in Education, Labor, and Healthcare"

President Lee Must Empower the Deputy Prime Minister
"A Crucial Time to Design the Nation's Development Direction... We Need a Grand Vision"

Myung Oh, Standing Chairman of the National Elders Council, is being interviewed by Asia Economy. Photo by Dongju Yoon

Former Deputy Prime Minister Myung Oh, who served as the inaugural Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology, stated, "Korea has advanced to the point where, thanks to the IT revolution, last year’s per capita national income reached $36,624, surpassing Japan for the second consecutive year." He added, "Now, the government needs to concretely define how to create a better country through the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution."

In an interview with Asia Economy on September 29, following the passage of the revised Government Organization Act in the National Assembly plenary session, former Deputy Prime Minister Oh emphasized, "Now, as we face the AI revolution, it is a very important time to design the direction of national development."

The Ministry of Science and ICT was elevated to the level of a deputy prime ministerial ministry after the revised Government Organization Act was approved by the Cabinet on September 30. As a result, the Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology system, which was abolished in 2008, was officially reinstated from October 1. This marks a new direction for the future of Korea’s science and technology sector.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Oh served as both Deputy Prime Minister and the sixth Minister of Science and Technology from 2004 to 2006. After retiring from government service, he served as Chairman of Dacom, President of Dong-A Ilbo, and President of Ajou University. He is currently the Standing Chairman of the National Elders Council.

He stated that while it is important for Korea to become one of the "top three AI powerhouses," it is even more crucial to first consider what benefits the entire population will gain from enhanced AI capabilities. He explained that policy design should take into account not only AI technology but also the broader social context, including education, labor, and healthcare. Former Deputy Prime Minister Oh positively assessed, "If the entire population is equipped with AI, building on the successful experience of leading the IT revolution in the past, the AI revolution could become the foundation for Korea to become a happier nation."

He also stressed the importance of AI education. He said, "When we led the IT revolution, getting the entire population involved was a critical task, and for the AI revolution, the key is to remove obstacles for all groups, including seniors." Former Deputy Prime Minister Oh recalled his efforts to educate housewives who were unfamiliar with computers during the IT revolution, supporting the "Housewives’ Internet Classroom" under the Ministry of Information and Communication, which expanded from an initial target of 1 million to 2 million participants due to enthusiastic response. He urged the government to pursue educational reform so that all segments of society can participate in the AI revolution.

Urgent Need for an Education Revolution: Transition to a Lifelong Learning System and Secure Employment Flexibility

He particularly emphasized that an "education revolution is urgent." He said, "Since entrance exam policies focused on four-year universities lose their significance in the AI era, we must quickly transition to a lifelong learning system." He also mentioned the urgent need to introduce a system that allows individuals to cultivate knowledge by taking the most important courses from various universities, rather than completing their education at a single institution.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Oh explained, "The biggest obstacle during the IT revolution was the older generation. The generation that was middle-aged during the IT revolution has now become seniors. The fact that this generation, who witnessed the IT transformation, is now leading in the AI era is meaningful in itself."

He noted that the AI revolution is also triggering changes in employment, making labor reform urgent. Former Deputy Prime Minister Oh said, "The younger generation faces a shortage of jobs, while those in their 60s have the ability but no work opportunities. In the AI era, the traditional model of being employed by a single company will disappear, and AI links will connect people with the jobs they need, allowing for the flexibility to take on multiple roles simultaneously." He also suggested that seniors should be given the opportunity to receive home-based care using AI, rather than spending their later years in unwanted nursing homes.

With the government and ruling party restoring the Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology system after 17 years, former Deputy Prime Minister Oh urged that the new Deputy Prime Minister must fulfill this role going forward. He emphasized, "Although we became an IT powerhouse through the IT revolution, what is regrettable is that we did not create a happier society. The President must empower the minister in charge of AI to use AI to address longstanding issues that have caused social conflict in education, labor, healthcare, and other areas."