Paik Kang-hoon: "Time to Show AI Investment Results... Intensive Review of AX Initiatives"

Deputy Prime Minister Paik Kang-hoon Presides Over the 8th Science and Technology Ministers’ Meeting

"Expanding Multifaceted Global Cooperation for AI Advancement"

Paik Kang-hoon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT, urged for tangible results from the government's investments in artificial intelligence (AI), announcing plans to review how each ministry is progressing with its AI transformation (AX) efforts. He also emphasized the need for multifaceted global cooperation to drive AI-based scientific and technological innovation and the development of the ecosystem.

Background Hoon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT, attended the Science and Technology Ministers' Meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 30th, speaking about current issues such as the data policy promotion direction in the era of AI transformation. April 30, 2026 Photo by Yongjun Cho

Deputy Prime Minister Paik stated at the 8th Science and Technology Ministers’ Meeting, held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on April 30, “It is time for us to demonstrate to the public the results of the government’s AI investments and support,” adding, “I will soon conduct an in-depth review of each ministry’s AX implementation status and future plans.”

At the meeting, participants discussed the “Intelligent Work Management Platform (OnAI) mobile service and expansion plan for user agencies,” which is the government’s AX initiative for ministries. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety is incorporating mobile services into OnAI, which employs the latest private sector technologies including AI. Currently, the service is being operated within four agencies—the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Planning, and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Starting in June, it will be gradually expanded to 47 central government agencies. With the newly launched mobile service, users can access materials, participate in group chats and reporting via email and messenger, and join meetings in real time even while on business trips, all without spatial limitations.

The meeting also resolved the “Direction for the National Strategic Technology Leadership NEXT Project,” aimed at achieving the world’s first and best results. In anticipation of global technological hegemony competition and to consolidate national capabilities, 23 ministries and agencies established the “National Strategic Technology System Advancement Plan” on April 27, which formed the basis for this initiative. The government will designate key projects for national missions as “National Strategic Technology R&D Projects” and provide concentrated support. Over the next five years, investment in national strategic technology R&D will be increased by more than 60 trillion won. Related projects will benefit from special provisions such as relaxed corporate matching requirements, priority consideration for R&D budgets, and expedited patent applications. Ministries, industry, academia, and research institutes will work together to build the “NEXT Alliance,” focusing on generating results throughout the project’s entire process.

Pursuing the Establishment of Global AI Innovation Hubs...“AI Has a Real Impact on Daily Life”

Paik Kyunghun, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT, attended the Science and Technology Ministers' Meeting held on April 30 at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. He spoke about current issues including the direction of data policy in the era of AI transformation. 2026.4.30 Photo by Jo Yongjun

The government is also moving to establish global AI innovation hubs for international cooperation. The “Strategy for Establishing Global AI Innovation Hubs,” which was reviewed and approved at the meeting, aims to enhance the global competitiveness of domestic AI companies, support their entry into global AI markets, and foster technological innovation. The government plans to convert its seven overseas IT support centers into AI full-cycle support hubs and to strengthen the innovation capabilities of AI companies by bringing together technology, capital, and talent in Silicon Valley, USA. In addition, at the cooperation hubs in China and Japan, the government will support companies’ market entry and technological competitiveness through legal and institutional responses tailored to local regulations and industry needs, joint proof-of-concept (PoC) projects, and technology benchmarking.

Deputy Prime Minister Paik referenced the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the Ministry of Science and ICT and Google DeepMind, stating, “AI is solving scientific challenges and having a real impact on people’s daily lives,” and emphasized, “The government will expand multifaceted global cooperation to advance AI-based scientific innovation, upgrade the AI ecosystem, and ensure responsible AI utilization.” On April 27, Deputy Prime Minister Paik met Demis Hassabis, co-founder and CEO of Google DeepMind, who visited Korea to mark the 10th anniversary of the AlphaGo match, and signed an MOU covering key areas of cooperation including joint research in scientific AI and nurturing AI talent.

At the meeting, participants also discussed the “Direction for Data Policy in the Era of AI Transformation” to secure high-quality data for private sector needs, as well as the “Support Plan for Manufacturing AX Based on Tacit Knowledge,” which links tacit knowledge to AI models and robots. Furthermore, they approved the “Science and Technology Support Plan to Strengthen National Drug Response Capabilities,” which seeks to block the smuggling of narcotics into Korea using advanced science and technology, and the “Strategy for Building an AI Materials R&D Platform” aimed at transforming the paradigm of materials R&D through AI.

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