S. Korea science minister pledges AI push, "AI for All" service by year-end
In short
Deputy Prime Minister and Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon said at a National Assembly audit on Oct. 6 that his ministry will concentrate on three directions to strengthen South Korea's position as a top-three AI power. He named AI data centers, physical AI and semiconductors as three "mega projects" and said an "AI for All" service, free of cost and usage limits, will be launched by the end of the year. He also outlined seven next-generation growth engines and a plan to find more than 500 deep-tech startup teams within the year.
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Deputy Prime Minister and Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon said on Oct. 6 that he would concentrate policy capacity on three broad directions so that South Korea can strengthen its position as a top-three AI power. He made the remarks in a greeting at the National Assembly audit of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, according to Yonhap. [ 2 ]
Bae named AI data centers, physical AI and semiconductors as three "mega projects," saying private investment is concentrating in what he called the core fields that will change the course of economic growth in the AI era. He said the government would further strengthen cooperation with the private sector so that investment proceeds without disruption, and would quickly resolve regulatory difficulties for the AI Data Center Act newly enacted by the 22nd National Assembly. On physical AI, he described building competitiveness from data combining motion and physical laws and general-purpose physical AI models through to on-site application. [ 2 ]
On what he called an "AI basic society," Bae said an "AI for All" service will be launched around the end of the year so that all citizens can use it without cost burden or usage limits. He said it would include not only conversational services but public AI agents that inform citizens of needed public services and apply for them on their behalf, along with tailored services in health, education, finance and tax. He added that AI education would be supported for the whole population so that gaps in AI capability do not become economic and social gaps. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
As a second direction, Bae said the government would build a science and technology ecosystem aiming at world-leading work. He listed small modular reactors, fusion, quantum, aerospace and advanced bio among seven fields to be cultivated as next-generation growth engines, and said the "K-Moonshot" project, which applies AI to scientific research, would be pushed forward in earnest, with the expectation of cutting research cost and time and securing world-first technologies. [ 2 ]
Bae also addressed young talent and regional growth. He said science gifted schools would be increased and doctoral national scholarships and basic research for young researchers expanded, and that more than 500 deep-tech startup teams would be identified within the year with measures to encourage startup activity. He said regional EX hubs would be spread across the country and regional autonomous R&D investment greatly increased, adding that his ministry would continue to work at the front line of AI and science and technology development. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The remarks are the ministry's stated policy agenda for AI, semiconductors and other advanced fields, and they signal how regulation and public services in those areas are meant to move. The pledge of a free nationwide AI service by year-end gives a concrete date against which the ministry's delivery can be judged. The documents do not give budgets, legislation timetables or outside assessments, so the practical effect is not yet measurable.
Key facts
- Deputy Prime Minister and Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon said he would focus policy capacity on three directions to strengthen South Korea's standing as a top-three AI power. [ 2 ]
- He named AI data centers, physical AI and semiconductors as three "mega projects," saying private investment is concentrating in those areas. [ 2 ]
- Bae said the "AI for All" service will be launched by the end of the year, allowing all citizens to use it without cost burden or usage limits. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He said he would strengthen cooperation with the private sector and quickly resolve regulatory difficulties for the AI Data Center Act newly enacted by the 22nd National Assembly. [ 2 ]
- He listed small modular reactors, fusion, quantum, aerospace and advanced bio among seven fields to be cultivated as next-generation growth engines, alongside a "K-Moonshot" project applying AI to scientific research. [ 2 ]
- He said more than 500 deep-tech startup teams would be identified within the year, with more science gifted schools, expanded doctoral national scholarships and basic research support for young researchers. [ 2 ]
- He said regional EX hubs would be spread nationwide and regional autonomous R&D investment greatly increased. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Bae said he would solidify South Korea's position as one of the top three AI powers. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- An "AI for All" service is to be launched within the year. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Bae made the remarks in a greeting at the National Assembly audit of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee. [ 2 ]
Still unclear
- The exact launch date and the full list of services under "AI for All." The documents say only "end of the year" and describe service categories, with no date or final list; this comes from one outlet's account of the minister's remarks.
- Budgets, funding sources or legislative schedules for the three mega projects, the seven growth engines and the K-Moonshot project. The documents report the plans but give no figures or timetables.
- Whether the Newsis report reflects the AI audit in full. The body text carried under document 1 concerns the Supreme Court chief justice and a judicial appointment request, not the AI audit; only its headline refers to the AI remarks.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Newsis publishes a report on Bae's pledge to strengthen South Korea's position as a top-three AI power and the year-end "AI for All" launch. [ 1 ]
- Yonhap publishes a detailed report on Bae's three policy directions at the National Assembly audit. [ 2 ]
- Seoul Shinmun publishes its report on the same remarks. [ 3 ]