[IT Cafe] Science Minister Prefers to Be Called "AI Deputy Prime Minister" Over "Science Deputy Prime Minister"

In Line with the Lee Jaemyung Administration's AI Strategy
Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology Reinstated After 17 Years
Internal Consensus: "AI" Must Be Included in the Deputy Prime Minister's Title
Commitment to Strengthening Cross

Prime Minister Kim Minseok is speaking at the '1st 3+Alpha Meeting' held on the 2nd at the Prime Minister's office in the Government Seoul Office, Jongno-gu, Seoul. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Kim, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yoonchul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyunghoon, among others. It is expected that these three will be the 'essential members' in future meetings, with the timing of the meetings determined according to important issues at the time. 2025.10.2 Photo by the Government Office Press Corps

"Please refer to me as the Deputy Prime Minister for Science, Technology, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), rather than the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT."

With the reinstatement of the Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology position after 17 years, the Ministry of Science and ICT is internally deliberating over how to address Deputy Prime Minister Bae. As the Lee Jaemyung administration aims to make South Korea one of the top three AI powerhouses and strengthens the national AI strategy, there is a growing consensus within the ministry that the official title must include "AI," reflecting the ministry's elevation to deputy prime ministerial status.

On October 1, the first day the new deputy prime ministerial system was implemented, a senior official at the Ministry of Science and ICT stated, "Since the ministry oversees both science and technology as well as artificial intelligence, and strengthening AI policy is a core objective, there is a prevailing internal opinion that 'AI' should be included before the deputy prime minister's title." The official added, "We plan to explain to the media the option of placing 'AI' before the deputy prime minister title." The rationale is that, since the reinstatement of the deputy prime minister for science and technology was achieved largely due to AI, this should be reflected in the official title as well.

The Ministry of Science and ICT is reportedly set to begin the necessary procedures for adopting this new title soon. Although the official appointment letter from the President refers to the position as "Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT," the ministry is considering standardizing the title as "Deputy Prime Minister for Science, Technology, and AI" through consultations with the Presidential Office, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and other government agencies. As the minister's status has been elevated to deputy prime minister and the role now encompasses the oversight and coordination of national policies on science, technology, AI, and ICT, this move is seen as an effort to further strengthen cross-ministerial leadership.

Even during the long Chuseok holiday, the Ministry of Science and ICT has been busy reorganizing its structure through personnel appointments. To enhance public communication, the spokesperson position, previously at the director level, has been upgraded to the director-general level. Additionally, to accelerate AI development, the AI-dedicated department, previously at the division level (AI-Based Policy Division), has been expanded to the "Artificial Intelligence Policy Office."

A government official commented, "Now that the long-awaited deputy prime minister system has been reinstated, there is a strong internal consensus that we must take the lead in national AI policy and drive AI innovation." The official added, "The opinion that 'AI' should be included before the deputy prime minister's title is in line with this sentiment."