Na Kyung-won, a member of the People Power Party who declared her candidacy for the presidential election, sharply criticized Lee Jae-myung, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 15th, calling his artificial intelligence (AI) pledge 'hollow promises.' She pointed out that there was no specific budget investment plan or essential infrastructure plan for securing graphics processing units (GPUs).
On this day, at a press conference held in the National Assembly to announce presidential pledges, Na noted, 'Lee Jae-myung's plan for a 100 trillion won investment in AI only emphasizes the amount, lacking a national strategy on how to utilize it.'
'A plan that simply lists good phrases is nothing but a recipe for massive budget waste. Responsible investment comes from strategy,' she criticized.
'Securing 50,000 GPUs is nothing more than a hollow number that ignores diplomatic and security realities,' Na said, adding, 'Advanced AI semiconductors are considered a strategic asset under strict export controls from the United States, and without robust trust with allies and a vision as a technology alliance partner, securing them is itself uncertain.'
She continued, 'Hardware without a software ecosystem and operational strategy is no different from scrap metal,' and claimed, 'I do not believe that the representative who has been anti-U.S. and pro-China can persuade U.S. companies and the U.S. government. I do not think we can adequately prevent the phenomenon of Chinese individuals sweeping away GPU stocks in the country.'
'A neural processing unit (NPU) without an application ecosystem, data openness without a 'high-quality data strategy,' and university establishment without 'core talent recruitment' are merely empty promises,' Na emphasized, asserting, 'As the core of the AI strategy lies in money and people, there is a precedent of the halted 'Thousand Talents Plan' of China, which was pushed forward by the government to recruit foreign scientific and technological scholars but caused controversies over industrial espionage. We must create a system that enables high-quality talent to return.'
She also stated, 'Since the U.S. and China are effectively in a state of 'zero AI regulation,' racing toward AI hegemony, a paradigm shift is needed in thinking toward 'AI regulation-free' and the full introduction of 'negative regulation' in the field of AI.'
'Lee Jae-myung's AI pledge is a commitment whose sincerity is doubted,' Na said, adding, 'Only verbally calling for support for research and development (R&D), but in action, merely 'catering to the demands of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions.'
She urged, 'I urge the National Assembly to address exceptions for 52-hour work weeks for semiconductor R&D personnel and the Semiconductor Special Act. If not addressed, Lee Jae-myung's pledges will be nothing more than empty promises.'