[APEC Super Week] "In the Era of AI Power Competition... Competitiveness Must Be Secured with Agentic AI"

APEC Digital Economy Forum Held

As the performance gap between AI (Artificial Intelligence) models continues to narrow, experts have suggested that securing competitiveness will require a focus on "Agentic AI"-a form of active artificial intelligence that autonomously sets goals, learns, and adjusts its actions through independent judgment. They argue that conventional AI models face limitations, and that development should concentrate on AI capable of continuously learning from sensitive data, understanding user context, and proactively solving problems.

Lee Hyungil, Vice Minister of Strategy and Finance, is delivering the opening remarks at the "8th Digital Economy Forum 2025" held on the morning of October 20 at Inspire Resort in Jung-gu, Incheon.

The Ministry of Strategy and Finance hosted the "8th Digital Economy Forum" as a side event to the APEC Finance and Structural Reform Ministers’ Meeting at Inspire Resort in Incheon on October 20. Since 2018, this annual forum has served as a venue for discussing changes in the digital economy and policy directions. This year, under the theme "The Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI): The Future of the Digital Economy and Global Cooperation," participants discussed AI transformation and strategies for expanding international cooperation.

Korea Should Seize Opportunities with ‘Sovereign AI’

During the keynote speech, Sung Nakho, Executive Director at Naver Cloud, stated that Korea can survive the AI competition between the United States and China through Agentic AI. Agentic AI refers to active artificial intelligence that autonomously sets goals, learns, and adjusts its actions through independent judgment. It can understand context and propose new solutions without explicit user instructions. Sung emphasized, “Large-scale models created by big tech companies are highly performant but come with high costs and clear limitations, particularly in handling sensitive national data.” He added, “This is precisely where the opportunity for ‘Sovereign AI’-AI developed and operated based on each country’s own data and infrastructure-emerges.”

He stressed the importance of Agentic AI, which can continuously learn and adapt. Sung stated, “We need to build an open ecosystem where anyone can create and connect their own AI. In this structure, providers benefit from low fees and partnership support, while consumers experience reliable, customized services.”

He further explained, “The AI agent ecosystem should begin with nationwide AI,” and added, “By starting with inclusive AI, we can create an ecosystem where everyone is connected through technology.” He also mentioned that AI agents can be extended to assist marginalized groups such as farmers, children, youth, and seniors, as well as to provide industry-specific solutions. Examples include AI agents supporting farmers in writing agricultural journals, agents for children’s emotional coaching, and agents assisting adolescents with journaling for depression management.

“Global Collaboration and Independent Technology Development Are Both Essential” 

Yoo Yongha, General Leader at Kakao, highlighted the need for collaboration with global AI companies, citing the partnership between Kakao and OpenAI’s ChatGPT as an example. According to Kakao, the company will soon integrate ChatGPT into KakaoTalk, enabling users to access chatbot services at the top of the chat app.

Yoo stated, “It is already difficult to catch up with the technology and scale of American big tech in the short term,” and emphasized, “As consumer expectations continue to rise, we must pursue service innovation through collaboration while simultaneously developing our own technologies.” He added, “It is important to leverage global technologies to provide services tailored to domestic users, while also strengthening our own capabilities to build resilience.”

Government Aims to Secure 50,000 GPUs by 2028

Lee Hyungil, First Vice Minister of Strategy and Finance, stated, “AI is more than just a technology; it is a key factor in determining economic and security leadership for nations. Now is the critical moment to establish a response strategy.” He emphasized, “The AI transformation will offer us opportunities to improve productivity, mitigate labor supply shocks, and rebound growth rates. Korea must build an independent AI ecosystem through public-private cooperation.”

Vice Minister Lee announced, “The government aims to secure more than 50,000 GPUs by 2028 and will simultaneously pursue research and development, as well as talent cultivation, to take the lead in AI foundation models and next-generation technologies.” He continued, “We will integrate AI into manufacturing sectors such as robotics, automobiles, ships, and semiconductors to promote physical AI, and introduce AI across all areas of public administration, including taxation, welfare, and employment.”

He added, “To become a global AI powerhouse, the government will expand next year’s AI budget to 1.01 trillion KRW and the R&D budget to 3.5 trillion KRW, and will actively support the AI and advanced industry ecosystem through the 15 trillion KRW ‘National Growth Fund.’ Through this forum, we will also strengthen cooperation for joint AI prosperity with APEC member economies.”