Minister Yusangim Plans Meeting with Chairman Son Jeong-ui... Proposes IT Exchange and Cooperation with Japan

by Kim Bokyung

Published 04 Feb.2025 14:46(KST)

Yoo Sang-im, Minister of Science and ICT, Yonhap News

Yoo Sang-im, Minister of Science and ICT, stated on the 4th that he is planning a meeting with Masayoshi Son, Chairman of SoftBank Group, believing it is necessary to meet him.

During a briefing to the public on the progress of key tasks for this year held at the Government Seoul Office, Yoo was asked about the scheduled meeting with Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, who is visiting Korea. He replied, "It seems that CEO Altman is unable to make time, but a meeting with Chairman Son is being planned."

However, he did not disclose any specific details or schedule regarding the proposed meeting.

On the same day, Chairman Son is set to meet Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, and CEO Altman at the Seoul Seocho building for a trilateral meeting on AI. It is expected that they will explore comprehensive cooperation plans with Samsung Electronics for the AI infrastructure project "Stargate," a joint venture with OpenAI valued at $500 billion (approximately 720 trillion KRW).

Minister Yoo also revealed that he met with Japanese economic security officials and proposed that the two countries strengthen exchanges and cooperation in science and technology, especially in the field of information and communications.

He added that he suggested to Japan to establish a program similar to "Horizon Europe," the world's largest multilateral research and innovation (R&I) program, and is considering visiting Japan next month with heads of domestic quantum-related research institutes for exchange.