Choi Acting President: "New Phase in AI Hegemony Competition... Must Demonstrate Strength as an Information Powerhouse"

Full Support Emphasized at the National Artificial Intelligence Committee

Choi Sang-mok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Strategy and Finance, stated on the 20th, "This is a critical moment for the public and private sectors to join forces and rapidly advance the strengthening of national AI capabilities to become one of the top three AI powers."

At the 3rd National Artificial Intelligence Committee held at Seoul Square in Jung-gu, Choi said, "The recent global AI hegemony competition has entered a new phase. Major advanced countries such as the United States and the European Union have announced astronomical-scale AI infrastructure investment plans."

Referring to the recent China-originated AI DeepSeek shock, Choi added, "Although the global AI environment is rapidly changing and a sense of crisis is rising, I am confident that this presents a new opportunity for us."

During the committee meeting, plans were announced by each ministry including 'Strengthening National AI Capabilities through Expansion of AI Computing Infrastructure,' 'Expanding AI Utilization through Fostering AI Startups,' and 'Expanding AI Data Accumulation and Openness.'

In particular, the plan to strengthen national AI capabilities through the expansion of AI computing infrastructure is an expansion of the 'Comprehensive AI Computing Infrastructure Plan,' which was originally scheduled to be established by the first quarter of this year, now broadened in response to the DeepSeek shock.

Choi emphasized the development of independent AI models with global competitiveness, talent acquisition, infrastructure construction, and AI industrialization, stating, "We have the experience and strength of becoming an information powerhouse by expanding the fastest high-speed internet network and building a globally exemplary electronic government over 30 years ago."

He continued, "Today, the world is paying attention to South Korea's progress as an AI powerhouse beyond being a manufacturing and information and communication powerhouse," adding, "Based on Korea-US-Japan economic security cooperation, triangular cooperation in the industrial sector is also being actively promoted."

He then urged, "I ask the National Artificial Intelligence Committee to serve as the central point leading the leap to become one of the top three AI powers."

The committee meeting was attended by about 10 government officials including Acting President Choi and ministers from related ministries, as well as 30 AI experts from the private sector, including Yeom Jae-ho, President of Taejae University, and Choi Soo-yeon, CEO of Naver.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.