South Korea is betting heavily on artificial intelligence, framing the next five years as a once-in-a-generation “golden window” to cement its role in the global tech race.
Officials say the country will go “all in” on AI with the goal of producing at least one or two world-leading products capable of driving long-term economic growth.
Speaking at the government-hosted Future Strategy Forum on September 29, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said Korea’s traditional strengths in manufacturing, data, and ICT give it the tools to compete with global heavyweights — including the United States — in physical AI applications such as robotics and industrial automation.
“Acting decisively now is crucial,” Koo said. “If we conserve resources during this pivotal transition, we risk falling behind.”
The forum also marked the launch of the country’s seventh Mid-to-Long-Term Strategy Committee, chaired for the first time by a corporate leader: former Samsung Electronics CEO Kwon Oh-hyun.
Kwon underscored the need for policy continuity and close cooperation between government and industry to accelerate commercialization and industrialization of AI technologies.
Industry leaders, academics, and researchers at the event discussed ways to integrate physical AI into sectors ranging from robotics to manufacturing.
Analysts say the initiatives could have major implications for South Korea’s competitiveness in high-tech manufacturing and data-driven industries — areas that U.S. companies and investors are closely watching.
South Korea’s “all-in” AI push reflects not only domestic urgency but also the broader global race to dominate technologies expected to reshape industries and economies in the coming decade.
