AI is not only transforming businesses; it is also reshaping government. In the industrial revolution, governments operated with paper and documents, while the information age saw them utilizing computers and the internet. Now, in the AI era, governments are evolving to understand data, learn autonomously, and engage proactively with citizens.
Yoon Ho-jung, Minister of the Ministry of Interior and Safety, defines this transformation not merely as administrative digitization but as a revolution in national governance. His vision is an 'AI democracy' that aims to listen more accurately to citizens' voices, identify policy needs more precisely, and provide public services more fairly and transparently. The ministry has already initiated a public AI service support project worth 18 billion won and is actively promoting AI administrative innovation at both central and local government levels.
The question is clear.
Can South Korea truly become the world's first AI democracy?
Moving Beyond Digital Government to AI Government
South Korea has long been recognized as a leader in electronic government.
Services like Minwon24 and Government24, along with electronic procurement and tax systems, have received global acclaim. However, Minister Yoon is not stopping there.
At an OECD event, he emphasized, "An AI democracy is not merely a government that introduces AI technology internally." It represents a new model of governance that uses AI to better understand citizens' needs and provide public services more equitably and transparently. He also explained that future governments should become more approachable and compassionate through technology.
This marks a significant shift.
While electronic government digitized operations, AI government will innovate decision-making and service delivery. AI will analyze information that civil servants previously sought, and a government that anticipates necessary services before citizens file complaints is on the horizon.
The AI democracy that Minister Yoon envisions is not just a technological project but a fundamental change in government paradigms.
The Era of AI Civil Servants
The core of the Ministry of Interior and Safety's AI policy is the integration of AI across all administrative tasks.
This year, the ministry launched a public AI service support project worth 18 billion won. It aims to apply AI to administrative tasks by soliciting innovative projects from both central and local governments. The plan is not just to build systems but to establish a common AI foundation across the government to embed AI in public services.
This effectively marks the beginning of the era of AI civil servants.
Repetitive and extensive tasks such as responding to inquiries, policy analysis, budget reviews, statistical analysis, and regulatory assessments can be handled much more quickly by AI.
AI will not replace civil servants but will serve as a tool to enhance their capabilities.
While civil servants once learned how to use computers, they will now need to learn how to utilize AI agents.
Minister Yoon's AI government revolution ultimately transforms the role of civil servants themselves.
Minister Yoon places particular emphasis on AI innovation in local governments.
The Ministry of Interior and Safety is actively supporting AI innovation projects not only at the central government level but also for local governments. Projects focusing on AI civil services, AI disaster response, AI welfare administration, and AI traffic management are being pursued in areas that citizens can directly experience.
While cities like Seoul, Sejong, Hwaseong, and Goyang are experimenting with AI administration, the ministry is tasked with spreading these initiatives nationwide.
Ultimately, the transition to an AI state is likely to be felt first at the local government level.
This is because local governments handle most aspects of daily administration, including resident registration, welfare, transportation, safety, and disaster management.
Minister Yoon's vision is to bring AI closest to the citizens.
From AI Disaster Management to AI Safety Governance
The original role of the Ministry of Interior and Safety involves disaster and safety management.
AI is also bringing significant changes in this area.
AI is being utilized to predict wildfires, floods, typhoons, earthquakes, traffic accidents, and crime risks. In the past, responses were initiated after incidents occurred; now, the system is evolving to predict and prevent accidents. Minister Yoon is also prioritizing innovations in disaster safety using AI.
The role of government in the AI era is not limited to providing administrative services.
It is evolving into a predictive government that protects citizens' lives and safety.
Disaster management is one of the areas where AI can create the most value.
One of Minister Yoon's most significant achievements is the establishment of a legal framework for public AI.
The "Act on the Promotion of AI and Data-Based Administration," known as the public AI law, passed this year in the National Assembly, laying the legal groundwork for AI innovation in the public sector. It provides a regulatory framework that promotes the use of AI while ensuring safety and reliability.
If there were administrative laws during the industrial revolution, the AI era necessitates a public AI law.
As AI participates in policy-making and utilizes citizens' information, ensuring transparency and accountability is crucial.
Minister Yoon approaches the AI democracy not as a technological project but as an institutional innovation project.
This is the most significant difference from mere digital administration.
Can AI Democracy Transform Democracy?
The essence of Minister Yoon's AI democracy is the innovation of democracy.
He defines an AI democracy as a government that listens more attentively to citizens and accurately identifies policy needs.
In the past, governments collected public opinions through surveys and complaints.
However, AI can analyze vast amounts of data.
It can identify what citizens want and where they have grievances in real-time.
Of course, this raises challenges regarding data privacy and algorithm transparency.
The success of AI democracy hinges not on technology but on trust.
This is why Minister Yoon emphasizes fairness and transparency.
Minister Yoon's AI policies are not merely administrative innovations; they represent a governmental revolution.
The public AI service support project, AI democracy, public AI law, and AI innovation in local governments all aim toward a single goal: transforming the government into a citizen-centered AI platform.
In the industrial revolution, governments operated with documents.
In the information age, governments operated with computers.
In the AI era, governments are likely to operate with data and AI agents.
Minister Yoon's question ultimately is this:
Can South Korea create the world's first AI democracy that connects citizens and government through AI?
: Minister Yoon Ho-jung: A politician who has served as a member of the National Assembly and the ruling party's floor leader, he has made the establishment of an AI democracy a core national agenda since taking office as Minister of the Ministry of Interior and Safety. He emphasizes the transition from digital government to AI government and leads initiatives such as the public AI service support project, the enactment of public AI law, AI innovation in local governments, and the establishment of AI disaster safety systems.
Recently, at an OECD event on digital government outlook, he introduced South Korea's vision for AI democracy to the international community and emphasized global cooperation in AI governance.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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