South Korean President Lee announces 'Future Response Fund' for AI, semiconductors

President Lee Jae-myung announced on July 13 that the government will establish a 'Future Response Fund' to strategically invest in four critical sectors: the future, youth, regional development, and education. This initiative aims to enhance the nation's economic growth potential and distribute its benefits to the public.

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We will establish a 'Future Response Fund' to invest intensively in the four major areas that determine the nation's future: the future, youth, regions, and education, thereby increasing economic growth potential and returning the fruits to our citizens.

The president stated that the fund will utilize substantial additional tax revenues, which are predicted to arise from an unprecedented boom in the semiconductor industry, largely fueled by the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution. He emphasized that this additional revenue, generated during a "golden time" for global AI dominance, will be a precious resource for strategic investment.

"We need a strategic investment platform that guarantees bold and continuous future investment. The Future Response Fund will fulfill this function," Lee explained during the '2026 National Fiscal Strategy Meeting' held at the Blue House. He stressed the importance of this fund in securing the nation's future competitiveness.

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We will utilize large-scale additional tax revenues for strategic investment to respond to the future. Unprecedented additional tax revenues are expected thanks to the semiconductor super-boom triggered by the AI revolution. This additional tax revenue is a precious resource to be used during the golden time when global AI hegemony is decided.

Furthermore, the president outlined plans to create new economic opportunities through 'three mega-projects.' These projects will focus on semiconductors, physical AI, and AI data centers, with the government mobilizing its full capacity to support these investments according to corporate timelines. Essential infrastructure, including stable power and water supply, transportation, logistics, and housing, education, and healthcare facilities, will be developed to establish new growth hubs for South Korea.

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We need a strategic investment platform that guarantees bold and continuous future investment. The Future Response Fund will fulfill this function.

President Lee also pledged to create a "Republic of Korea where no one is left behind." This includes establishing a comprehensive support system for young people, covering employment, housing, and asset formation throughout their lives. Additionally, the social safety net will be strengthened to protect non-regular workers, whose numbers are expected to increase in the AI era.

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We will create new opportunities for our economy through 'three mega-projects.' We will mobilize the government's capabilities to concentrate support so that investments in semiconductors, physical AI, and AI data centers proceed as planned according to corporate timelines.