"I hope this becomes an opportunity to elevate South Korea's artificial intelligence (AI) competitiveness to the next level."
Mok Kyung-jong, a member of the Democratic Party, made this statement on September 2 during the '2026 GGGF' forum hosted by the Aju Economy newspaper at The Plaza Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. He emphasized that South Korea, with its global manufacturing competitiveness, has a chance to re-emerge as a leader in Physical AI.
In his congratulatory remarks, Mok stated, "AI is a key driver that determines national competitiveness. In particular, Physical AI, which this forum focuses on, is leading new changes across various industrial sectors." He highlighted that South Korea, known for its strengths in robotics, semiconductors, automobiles, and shipbuilding, has the opportunity to become a powerhouse in Physical AI.
However, he also pointed out significant challenges ahead, noting, "We face daunting tasks. The competition in AI is expanding beyond technology to include data centers, infrastructure, talent acquisition, and international hegemony. There are concerns that national support and regulatory frameworks are not keeping pace with this rapid evolution."
Mok stressed the importance of collaboration between industry and academia to shape policies based on real-world insights, stating, "As the GGGF has played a vital role for the past 18 years, I hope this forum will also serve to elevate South Korea's AI competitiveness. The National Assembly will support discussions that lead to legislation and budget allocations."
He concluded by expressing hope that the wisdom and insights shared at the event would lead to new innovations in South Korea's manufacturing sector and help the country take another step forward as a leader in the AI era.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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