The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 13th that it unveiled the '2025 business plan,' which includes measures to foster the artificial intelligence (AI) industry, reduce communication costs, and address digital disasters.
The Ministry of Science and ICT is moving forward with the establishment of the 'National AI Computing Center' through public-private partnerships and plans to improve regulations related to the essential infrastructure of data centers. The Ministry will establish a comprehensive measure for AI computing infrastructure within the first quarter of this year. It aims to prepare the subordinate regulations of the 'AI Basic Act' early in the first half of this year, and after designing systems necessary for balanced industrial development of innovation and safety, such as high-impact AI safety management standards and deepfake watermarks, these will be implemented in January next year.
The Ministry of Science and ICT is planning and promoting a general-purpose AI development project worth 1 trillion won, supporting policy funds aimed at the growth of AI transition (AX) startups and new industry corporations (with a target of 810 billion won this year), as well as policy financing. By elevating AI to a national strategic technology under the Restriction of Special Taxation Act, it will enhance tax credit support and also significantly advance digital overseas expansion, including support for establishing local bases for AI startups linked with New York's 'Global AI Frontier Lab' and operating digital export pioneering teams in ASEAN and the Middle East.
The Ministry of Science and ICT will continue to operate the 'Digital Services People’s Support Task Force' to thoroughly assist the public and will also ensure that the people's digital rights are protected, including alleviating household communication cost burdens. It will support cooperative relationships between platform companies, telecommunication firms, and small businesses and promote institutionalization of 'local channel commerce broadcasts' (amending the Broadcasting Act) to expand sales channels through cable TV. Together with related ministries such as the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, it will support the growth of small businesses through the strengthening of AI and digital capabilities, pioneering sales channels, and financial support.
The Ministry of Science and ICT will improve communication systems, including the establishment of an integrated rate plan and notification of optimal rate plans (proposing an amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act), allowing every citizen to easily select the best rate plan for themselves, and will also implement follow-up measures to abolishing the subsidy law. It will prepare a plan to strengthen 'mobile virtual network operator' competitiveness, support the release of affordable mobile virtual network operator rate plans through wholesale price reductions, and enhance the reliability of small mobile virtual network operators. In conjunction with the enactment of the 'Digital Inclusion Act', it will also promote digital inclusion policies, including the establishment of 'Digital Inclusive Society 2.0' and the building of a real-time three-party video call 119 reporting system for individuals with hearing and speech disabilities.
The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to enhance a reliable digital safety system that can operate 365 days a year in light of digital disasters and cyber threats that threaten the foundations of the economy and society, beyond public inconvenience. It will ensure the implementation of the 'comprehensive and all-inclusive disaster management system' set up by the government after major digital disasters. The Ministry will also pursue the enactment of the 'Digital Safety Act' in the second half of this year, aimed at clarifying responsibilities for digital safety management and responding to new types of disasters. It will conduct 24-hour monitoring to prepare for cyber threats that are expanding in quantity and quality and will fully operate 'Cyber Spider,' which analyzes threat information using AI.
The Ministry of Science and ICT will operate the 'Digital Safety Management Council' that domestic corporations voluntarily participate in for safety management, building cooperative governance with relevant ministries, local governments, and corporations to enhance the information protection capability of local businesses and nurture talent. Follow-up measures to address people's crime prevention policies established through the 'Digital Services People’s Support Task Force' will push for the fundamental prevention of crimes such as voice phishing and smishing.
The Ministry of Science and ICT is establishing a region-led science and technology innovation ecosystem and aims to enhance the vitality of regional economies based on science and technology while strengthening innovation capabilities. It will enact the 'Regional Science and Technology Innovation Act' and prepare a 'Regional Innovation Ecosystem Activation Strategy' within the first half of the year to promote self-sustaining science and technology innovation led by the region. Through research and development special district funds and regional research and development support, it plans to foster research institute corporations based on excellent public technology into regional representative corporations.
The Ministry of Science and ICT will promote the acceleration of AX in regional strategic areas, such as the development of the 'AX Research and Development Hub' (Suseong Alpha City) and the 'Gwangju AX Validation Valley,' while expanding regional digital innovation projects and supporting smart villages to solve local community issues alongside leading AI projects and expanding information protection clusters in respective regions.