President Lee: South Korea aims to be global AI hub

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung declared the nation's ambition to become a global Artificial Intelligence hub, leveraging its world-class semiconductor manufacturing prowess. Speaking at the AI Summit in San Francisco, Lee outlined a vision to establish South Korea as a trusted production base and supply chain partner for AI semiconductors.

"We will become a reliable AI semiconductor production base and supply chain partner, building on our world-class memory semiconductor competitiveness and production capacity," Lee stated. He highlighted a significant AI project investment of approximately 470 trillion won (around $340 billion) announced in June, and introduced a new large-scale AI investment initiative by leading South Korean and global companies, collectively valued at over 20 trillion won ($14.7 billion).

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We will become a reliable AI semiconductor production base and supply chain partner, building on our world-class memory semiconductor competitiveness and production capacity.

Lee emphasized the symbiotic relationship between AI models and advanced semiconductors, noting that neither can function without the other. He stressed the importance of building a stable global AI supply chain, integrating technology, production capabilities, data, energy, markets, and talent. "The AI era is an era where technology and production capabilities, data and energy, markets and talent are connected in a vast supply chain," he said.

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The AI era is an era where technology and production capabilities, data and energy, markets and talent are connected in a vast supply chain.

To achieve this, South Korea plans to ensure stable AI infrastructure for global companies and foster innovation. Beyond semiconductors, the country aims to supply key infrastructure for the global AI ecosystem, connecting data centers and physical AI applications. Furthermore, the "AI for All" project, launching by the end of the year, will integrate AI into public services like administration, welfare, and education, creating a dynamic AI market within the nation.

Lee also expressed a commitment to expanding the global AI market through horizontal cooperation networks with various countries, ensuring AI's benefits are widely shared. He acknowledged that no nation has a perfect answer for AI's future development, inviting global collaboration to find new solutions. "We will create a new AI market and allow more countries' citizens to participate in the opportunities of AI innovation," Lee concluded, likening the initiative to the Golden Gate Bridge connecting cities and the world.

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We will create a new AI market and allow more countries' citizens to participate in the opportunities of AI innovation.