Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said Tuesday that she would "devote all efforts to discovering and fostering AI as a global commanding-lead growth engine, with the extraordinary resolve that this is a critical turning point that will determine Korea's future."
Han made the remarks at her inauguration ceremony held at the Government Complex Sejong, saying, "This is a time when we need a great transformation of our growth strategy and a great transformation of our systems, driving innovation by integrating AI across not only industry but the entire economy and society."
"An AI ecosystem equipped with AI talent, capital, water, data centers and residential conditions has become an essential requirement for national competitiveness," Han said. "To this end, we will rationalize regulations that hold back innovation swiftly and boldly."
She added, "The advancement of cutting-edge technology must become a change that transforms the lives of all citizens, and the foundation for genuine inclusion and coexistence. We will do our best to create a virtuous cycle in which the fruits of growth extend beyond large corporations to small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners, spread evenly across neighborhood commercial districts and workplaces, expanding opportunities for all citizens and leading to growth."
Han also emphasized "regionally led balanced growth," saying, "An 'irreplaceable Korea' cannot be achieved by the strength of any single industry sector or any single region alone." She said, "Under the '5 poles, 3 special zones' growth map, each region must stand tall as a hub of innovation. We will provide strong support so that regions become the central axis of advanced strategic industries and can grow with their own strengths by connecting industry, talent, culture and resources."
Turning to public officials, Han said, "If the past year was a time of recovery and normalization, the coming year must be a time of change that citizens can feel." She urged them, "We must become a government that innovates with AI, a government that uses AI best."
"We will do our best to introduce, together with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the work-use AI system currently being piloted at four ministries to all ministries by year-end," she said. "We will also do our best to reduce social tragedies that recur in the same places and situations by analyzing data by type — such as suicides, industrial accidents and other accidents — with AI and establishing tailored measures."
