Oh Jun-ho, Director General of Samsung's Future Robotics Task Force, was appointed as the 12th president of the Korea AI and Robot Industry Association.
In his inaugural address at the "2026 general meeting" held on the 25th at Yangjae El Tower in Seocho-gu, Seoul, the new president Oh said, "China is currently building robots with overwhelming production power, and the United States has overwhelming artificial intelligence (AI) technology," adding, "But if we can catch up through innovation and challenge, before long we will be able to enter the axis of technology, the top tier (the leading group)."
He added, "Appointing Samsung Electronics as the chair company reflects expectations that it will lead the robotics industry with a sense of responsibility," and said, "With a sense of responsibility, while ensuring smooth policy communication with the government, we will do our best to make Korea's robotics industry the world's best."
President Oh was among the founders of Rainbow Robotics and is the person who brought to life "HUBO," Korea's first bipedal humanoid robot. Since early last year, he has led the Samsung Electronics Future Robotics Task Force. The Future Robotics Task Force is an organization reporting directly to the CEO that plays a central role in developing Samsung's future robotics technologies, including humanoids.
Along with the presidential appointment, the Korea AI and Robot Industry Association approved agenda items including the appointment of board executives and the 2026 business plan and budget.
This year, it plans to focus on: ◇ identifying industry conditions through a fact-finding survey of robot SI (system integration) corporations and discovering research and development (R&D) projects ◇ cultivating talent in the robotics field ◇ an intelligent robot indemnity program ◇ responding to industry trends and standardization activities ◇ developing domestic and overseas sales channels and expanding the base.
The Korea AI and Robot Industry Association is the largest robotics industry association in the country, with 376 member companies including domestic robot corporations and related institutions. Established in 1999, the association added "AI" to its former name, "Korea Robot Industry Association," in the second half of last year. It carries out activities to foster robot- and AI-based industries, propose policies, and build the industrial ecosystem.