[Q&A] Minister Baek Kyunghoon: "The Most Promising Field for a Korean Nobel Prize Is AI-Integrated Bio"

Press Conference Marks 50 Days Ahead of Ministry's Upgrade to Vice Prime Minister Level
"AI as a 'Colleague at the Level of a Research Institute Director' Tackling Challenges like Conquering Alzheimer's"
"Promoting Services All Citizens Can Experience through the AI Voucher Program"
"An Era Where Agents Communicate Is Coming... Communication Infrastructure Is Essential"
Emphasizing a 'Multi-Faceted Strategy' of Both Competition and Cooperation with Big Tech
"Advocating for Stronger R&D Budget Authority with the Upgrade to Vice Prime Minister Level"

Baek Goon, Minister of Science and ICT, expressed strong confidence in the future of scientific and technological innovation at a press conference held on September 12 to mark his 50th day in office. He stated, "Korea can achieve Nobel Prize-level results in the bio sector," and emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI), acting as a "colleague at the level of a research institute director," could solve challenging problems such as conquering Alzheimer's disease. He highlighted that research integrating AI into the pharmaceutical and bio sectors would become Korea's unique competitive edge.

At the press conference, Minister Baek clarified, "It's not just about focusing on AI," adding, "We must also prepare infrastructure such as information security, communication networks, and satellite and submarine cables." He particularly pointed out, "In a few years, everyone will have an AI agent, and these agents will communicate with each other. If we do not expand communication bandwidth and invest in infrastructure, national competitiveness will inevitably be limited."

He also announced plans to efficiently execute the 35.3 trillion won research and development (R&D) budget and the 10.1 trillion won AI budget without overlap through the newly established "Science and Technology Artificial Intelligence Ministerial Meeting." He outlined a vision to create national synergy by platformizing and coordinating AI projects scattered across ministries and to foster an environment where all citizens, including marginalized groups and students, can easily utilize AI under the principle of "AI for Everyone." The following is a summary of the main Q&A.

Baek Goon Minister of Science and ICT. Photo by Yonhap News

-What are your thoughts after 50 days in office? How is the "innovation in work methods" you mentioned at your inauguration progressing?

▲It has been a breathless sprint. The Ministry of Science and ICT faced a wide range of issues, and there were gaps between those and the problems I wanted to address. At my inauguration, I spoke of "innovation in work methods" to make the ministry more effective. For a healthy debate culture, flexibility within the ministry is essential. The government has traditionally produced many reports and focused more on information delivery than report-based discussions. We have made significant efforts to create a culture where each department shares and discusses their ideas. Online meetings have also been activated. I want to focus on making quick decisions and achieving optimal results through efficient work innovation.

-Is there too much focus on AI?

▲There is sometimes that misunderstanding, but my interest is not limited to AI. In fact, many field meetings have involved the scientific community and other sectors. We are currently taking a phased approach. AI must underlie the foundation of science and technology, industrial AI transformation (AX), and information security issues. I am as interested in information security systems as I am in AI.

-What are your thoughts on the upgrade to a vice prime minister-level ministry and your governance plans?

▲I have thought a lot about whether we are sufficiently prepared to become one of the top three AI powers. Since each government ministry has its own AX agenda, there is a risk of them moving separately. We need to consolidate our efforts and establish governance to become a powerhouse in AI science and technology. If the ministry is upgraded, I will pay even closer attention to this issue.

-You must be considering organizational restructuring. Beyond the AI Policy Office, do you have any further ideas?

▲Regarding organizational restructuring, it would be more appropriate to share specifics once they are further developed. In short, establishing an organizational system for AI governance is essential. This is not just our ministry's concern; coordination with related ministries is also necessary. We will work with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to build this organizational system. ICT-based AI is extremely important. While much discussion is focused on foundation models and computing infrastructure, communication networks, satellite communications, and submarine cables are also crucial. Everyone will have their own AI agent. In five to ten years, we will enter an era where agents communicate with each other. This will require much more communication bandwidth, and without the necessary infrastructure, our capabilities will be inherently limited. For example, I envision a future where my AI agent in Korea communicates and operates with an AI agent at the New York Stock Exchange in the United States. Securing related AI technology and the surrounding infrastructure is crucial.

-The Science and Technology Artificial Intelligence Ministerial Meeting will be established. How will you ensure its effectiveness?

▲Currently, there is no forum where all ministries can gather to discuss science, technology, and AI. We must use the 35.3 trillion won R&D budget and the 10.1 trillion won AI budget efficiently. When each ministry pursues its own AI projects, overlap can occur. For example, projects promoted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy or the Ministry of SMEs and Startups may both require computing infrastructure or AI foundation models, and building these separately would increase costs. The Ministry of Science and ICT does not intend to control all AI across ministries. The meeting will function as a platform and coordinating body.

-What is your concrete vision for "AI for Everyone"?

▲The goal is to utilize the results of the consortium currently participating in the independent AI foundation model project and turn them into services accessible to the public. Although not yet fully developed, we need to create an environment where people can use AI affordably or for free through the AI voucher program. One of my goals is to ensure that all citizens, especially marginalized groups, can use AI effectively. I also want to enable middle and high school students, not just university students, to use AI for productive activities.

-How do you plan to secure datasets for the advancement of physical AI?

▲We need to understand why the United States is wary of China. China is producing enormous amounts of data by building "dark factories"-fully automated factories operating in the dark. In this respect, Korea has an opportunity to carve out its own space. We have strengths in manufacturing and software flexibility. We will focus on strategic industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, defense, and K-Content to gather data and build a foundation for physical AI. If Korea can play a role in the areas that the United States fears about China, it could create a positive negotiating position and offer advantages in our relationship with China. Building a manufacturing AX foundation for physical AI while securing basic competitiveness is crucial.

-What is your approach to cooperation with global tech companies?

▲It is difficult to compete one-on-one with big tech companies based on foundation models. I am not only emphasizing sovereign AI. Korea must also have AI models that can compete. We need a complex strategy: collaborate to secure what we need, and attract American capital and technology where Korea has strengths. A multifaceted approach is necessary.

-Which fields are most likely to achieve Nobel Prize-level results?

▲There is great potential in the AI-bio sector. Many pharmaceutical companies are investing, and bio-related issues are well suited to integration with AI. AlphaFold received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry not for its results but for its potential. In Korea, there are professors conducting research to predict protein structures in multi-state conditions using AI, and significant progress is being made. I once challenged the problem of conquering Alzheimer's disease (during my time in business), and I received reports of progress through the application of AI. If scientists use AI not just as a tool but as a colleague with the capabilities of a research institute director, Nobel Prize-level achievements are possible.

-What is the solution to the science and technology talent issue?

▲Can we provide an answer now? No, we cannot. We need to make R&D more attractive. There must be a perception that "Korea can solve this problem" and "Korea provides a supportive research environment." However, we lost trust due to budget cuts by the previous administration. It will take time to restore that trust. My main goal is to change the perception so that Korea is seen as an attractive place for R&D.

-Hacking and security breaches, including those at telecom companies, have become frequent. What are your countermeasures?

▲I want to present fundamental measures to eradicate hacking issues. The root cause is that AI technology has advanced to the point where hacking programs can be created. I am concerned about whether our defense strategies are keeping pace with technological advances. Talking with those responsible, I hear that companies sometimes hire hackers to prevent hacking incidents. However, after a year at the company, these hackers often become generalists and their capabilities decline. We are considering how to establish fundamental internal countermeasures. We need to consider various measures, such as pre-installing relevant applications on devices at launch or developing a national system to train skilled hackers to counter hacking techniques. We will establish a task force at the level of the second vice minister to respond. Without process improvement, the problem cannot be solved.

-In the case of telecom companies, there have been personal data leaks, and they are large corporations. In the case of small and medium-sized enterprises or factories, ransomware attacks often halt operations or prevent work, and many pay off hackers without reporting the incident. What support measures are in place for small and medium-sized enterprises?

▲Telecom companies have capital, but small and medium-sized enterprises lack the resources, making hacking a bigger issue. The government is seriously considering financial support. A comprehensive information security system for large corporations, SMEs, and startups must be established. We need to identify the root causes and target them effectively. We are taking a comprehensive approach to this issue.

-There are various government projects related to AI. Which project do you consider most important? Also, if Korea imports overseas models and develops industry-specific AI solutions, can this be considered sovereign AI from the perspective of applied technology?

▲Among all projects, building computing infrastructure and developing specialized AI cases are most important. To redefine sovereign AI, if we do not have AI technology under our control, we cannot create specialized models. The United States is releasing many models, and they are evolving into "cross models." The U.S. has heavily invested in platform services and is leading the AI market, but China is expanding its domain in physical AI.

I have not always advocated for sovereign AI. I believe inclusive AI is important. I do not want to define Korea's K-AI solely as sovereign AI. We need AI technology that is chosen globally. Our independent AI foundation model must rank among the global top three. We must develop models chosen by the most users and developers.

-The Ministry of Science and ICT has the authority to adjust the R&D budget, but the Ministry of Economy and Finance still controls budget allocation. Are there plans to change this? Also, what are the countermeasures after the abolition of PBS?

▲Strengthening control over the R&D budget is necessary for our ministry. The main problem so far has been that technical experts have had absolutely insufficient time to review the R&D budget. Short review periods inevitably lead to deficiencies and limit the appropriate allocation of truly necessary R&D funds. As the ministry is upgraded to vice prime minister level, we are strongly voicing our opinions on this matter.

Most government-funded research institutes support the abolition of PBS. As a follow-up, a phased solution is needed, but research institutes are quickly transitioning to a system focused on large-scale, mission-oriented projects. Once the overall goals become clearer, I believe the research institutes will become more stable.

-Has the government's position on the export of Google's detailed maps been finalized?

▲(Ryu Jemyoung, Second Vice Minister) Since we could not accept the establishment of a data center, the matter will be discussed in a council led by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport after comprehensive consideration. Once the government's overall position on the necessary elements is finalized, further discussions will take place based on that.

-What are your solutions to the power supply issue for AI technology development?

▲We must prepare a good energy mix with renewable energy, but AI computing centers require a stable 24-hour power supply. In this respect, the government is very interested in small modular reactors (SMRs). SMRs are more stable and can be secured more quickly than conventional reactors. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is developing SMRs for light water reactors, while the Ministry of Science and ICT is developing SMRs for non-light water reactors. The commercialization timeline is an issue; although we want to develop them by the early 2030s, in reality, it will likely take about 10 years.

-What is your position on AI education for lower elementary school students?

▲From the perspective of "AI for Everyone," we need to consider whether to provide services that allow even elementary school students to use AI easily. Elementary students could interact with AI in fun ways and create their own works. We will consider developing various content and discuss it with related ministries.

-What are your plans for national development through the promotion of regional science?

▲We plan to continue expanding research and development special zones. From a regional AX perspective, we have plans for 500 billion won in Daegu, 1 trillion won in Changwon, Gyeongnam, and Jeonbuk, and 600 billion won in Gwangju, which are already being implemented. The selection of national AI computing center SPC operators will also focus on regional areas. We will continue our efforts to spread R&D support, which has been concentrated in the metropolitan area, to the regions.

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