To strengthen national security and cultivate future growth engines, the government will push to develop core technologies for ultra-high-resolution optical satellites. As part of efforts to address the climate crisis, it will also develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based climate prediction model using high-resolution satellites. It plans to use a 6.2 billion won research and development budget for core technologies of ultra-high-resolution optical satellites reflected in next year's budget bill, as well as a 100 billion won New Space Fund.
On the 20th, at an economic ministers' meeting chaired by Koo Yun-cheol, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the government finalized and announced the "second implementation plan for the 15 leading projects of the ultra-innovation economy."
In August, through the new administration's economic growth strategy, the government presented 15 leading projects for the AI grand transition and 15 leading projects for the ultra-innovation economy. Then on Sept. 10, at a meeting of ministers on strengthening industrial competitiveness, it announced implementation plans for five of the 15 leading projects of the ultra-innovation economy: next-generation power semiconductors, LNG cargo tanks, graphene, specialty carbon steel, and K-food.
At the meeting, officials discussed implementation plans for five projects: ▲ ultra-high-resolution satellites and their utilization ▲ smart agriculture ▲ smart fisheries ▲ building an AI bio open ecosystem ▲ creation of a K-beauty integrated cluster.
First, the government will develop core technologies for ultra-high-resolution optical satellites and create an AI-based climate prediction model using the satellites it develops. Reflecting industrial and public demand, it plans to provide a package of support covering technology development related to ultra-high-resolution satellites, workforce training, and financial assistance.
For smart agriculture, to shift to an AI-based smart farming system, one of the smart agriculture promotion zones will be designated as an "innovation leading zone." In the innovation leading zone, an AI solution-based model to optimize farming will be established. The government also set a goal of expanding the adoption rate of smart agriculture, which stood at 16% as of last year, to 35% by 2030 by establishing a leading model optimized for Korea's conditions.
Regarding the smart fisheries sector, by combining Korea's aquaculture seed production technology with ICT, the government set a goal of expanding the dissemination rate of smart fisheries—only 2.7% in 2025—to 10% by 2030. It will build an AI-based smart fisheries commercialization and value chain, and designate one innovation leading zone for smart fisheries.
Building an AI bio open ecosystem centers on creating an ecosystem in which "technology accumulation–talent training–industrial diffusion" are organically connected so that medical data and research and development capabilities in the bio sector can be utilized.
The plan is to build an autonomous laboratory in which AI designs and conducts experiments, sharply reducing new drug development time and expense.
The government will also create a K-beauty integrated cluster where foreign tourists can experience and consume the K-beauty industry. It will push to diversify K-beauty export strategies.
A government official said, "We plan to provide package support for ultra-innovation economy projects, including fiscal, tax, financial, talent training, and regulatory improvement measures," adding, "We will make the next five years the golden time for our economy and make all-out efforts to deliver visible results."