Korea Minting, Security Printing & ID Card Operating Corporation (KOMSCO) said on the 10th that it held a seminar marking its 75th anniversary under the theme "the past, present and future of the mint" and discussed the future role of minting institutions in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and the digital economy. At the seminar, participants said that as the era of full-scale circulation of virtual currencies, including stablecoins, approaches, the mint should expand its business into related intermediary platforms and more. Attendees included Kim Ui-seok, a professor at KAIST; Seo Chang-hun, an executive director at Viva Republica (Toss); and Park Ji-su, CEO of Suho.io.
Professor Kim gave a special lecture titled "the future of the mint (KOMSCO) in the AI era" and suggested that the mint evolve from a simple physical currency manufacturer into a "national trust platform" that confers public trust on digital value. He said public institutions should verify and guarantee the reliability of digital value and information.
There was also discussion that the mint should move forward as a new public trust verification institution that verifies the provenance and authority of AI agents, data and digital value. In other words, an accredited verification system for AI and digital value is needed. An AI agent is an AI system designed to receive user instructions and analyze information or carry out multiple tasks autonomously.
Since August, the mint has been conducting discussions to establish a future vision toward its 80th anniversary. On the 7th of last month, starting with a roundtable inviting former presidents, a field forum at the Buyeo paper division and a board discussion were held in sequence.
KOMSCO President Seong Chang-hun said, "the 75th anniversary is a meaningful opportunity to look back on past achievements and a starting point for preparing for the future toward the 80th anniversary," adding, "we must leap beyond being a manufacturer of physical currency and ID cards to become a digital infrastructure verification institution that the state and the people can trust in the AI and digital economy era."