South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT is moving ahead with a comprehensive strategy to respond to a sweeping shift driven by artificial intelligence, spanning data 확보, research and development, industrial deployment and global expansion. The government plans to invest more than 60 trillion won in national strategic technologies over the next five years and accelerate its push to become one of the world’s “top three AI powers” by expanding AI-based innovation across manufacturing, public administration and public safety, among other areas.
Bae Kyung-hoon, deputy prime minister and minister of science and ICT, chaired the eighth meeting of ministers for science and technology relations at the Government Complex Seoul on Wednesday and discussed seven agenda items, including a draft plan titled “Data Policy Directions in the Era of the AI Transformation.”
“AI is having a real impact on solving difficult scientific challenges and on people’s daily lives,” Bae said, adding that the government would expand global cooperation to advance AI-driven science and technology innovation, strengthen the ecosystem and promote responsible use.
The meeting reviewed policy directions to energize the data ecosystem, a plan to support “manufacturing AX” based on tacit knowledge to bolster industrial competitiveness, and a rollout plan to expand an AI-based public work platform known as “OnAI.”
In manufacturing, the government plans to turn skilled workers’ experience and know-how into data and apply it to AI models and robots. Through a 2026 supplementary budget, it will support building process-by-process datasets totaling 48 billion won and use them to expand manufacturing AI and robotics solutions.
In government administration, the OnAI work-management platform will be expanded to about 40 central government ministries. With mobile services enabling access to work networks and collaboration regardless of location, the government expects more efficient decision-making in the public sector.
The government also plans to strengthen drug interdiction capabilities using advanced technology, applying detection tools at airports, seaports and other sites and building cooperation among relevant ministries and research institutions to shift toward prevention-focused responses.
Investment in national strategic technologies will also be increased, with more than 60 trillion won over five years to concentrate support on key R&D projects and speed results through designated specialized research institutes and expanded corporate support.
The government will also step up AI-driven innovation in materials research. By 2030, it plans to develop AI models for materials, build autonomous experimentation centers and upgrade data infrastructure, aiming to shorten research timelines while developing new materials.
A global expansion strategy will proceed in parallel. Existing overseas IT support centers will be converted into KAIN (Korea AI Innovation Network) to provide region-specific support in North America, Asia and the Middle East, among other areas, and help domestic AI companies expand overseas.
The government said the strategy is intended to build an AI ecosystem that combines data, technology and talent and to secure global competitiveness.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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