Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, acting president, said on the 21st, "Entering the top 3 of artificial intelligence (AI) is our goal that must be achieved."
Acting Prime Minister Han noted this at the "2025 Science and Information and Communications Day Ceremony" held at the Korean Science and Technology Center in Gangnam, Seoul, saying, "AI is a core driver that will promote innovation across industries by merging with various advanced technologies and lead future growth."
He said, "The government has recently allocated a total of 1.8 trillion won in the supplementary budget for the AI sector" and added, "We aim to actively support the urgent expansion of AI computing infrastructure, development of Korean-style AI models, and the creation of an innovation fund to nurture AI startups."
He further remarked, "Securing the three game-changing technologies of AI, bio, and quantum technology is crucial," and stated, "The government is focusing on making active investments and establishing legal and institutional foundations in these areas."
Acting Prime Minister Han also said, "We expect to enter the global leading group through the 'Quantum Technology Industry Act' enacted last November and the 'Basic Act on Artificial Intelligence' and 'Synthetic Biology Promotion Act' scheduled to take effect next year." He continued, "The upcoming 4th launch of the Nuriho in November will be an opportunity to elevate our dreams and hopes to a higher orbit."
He emphasized, "Today, South Korea stands tall as a scientific and technological powerhouse that the world is paying attention to and as a fully recognized digital leading nation," adding, "With the launch of the Korea Aerospace Administration last year, we also began challenging ourselves to leap into the world's top five space powers."
He continued, "In the 1960s, even when a sack of rice was precious, we began investing under the banner of becoming a science and technology nation," stating, "This belief and spirit of challenge have become the driving force that has raised today's South Korea to be a global science and technology powerhouse and a digital powerhouse."
Acting Prime Minister Han stated, "To all science and technology and information and communications professionals, the world has entered an endless competition to secure advanced science and digital technology," and noted, "The key to success is not to replicate past successes, but to blaze new trails and discover possibilities."