Bae Gyeong-hun, the new Minister of Science and ICT, stated at his inauguration ceremony on the 17th, "How we design and respond to strategies in the face of the coming wave of innovation and change, 'coming wave,' will determine the future of the nation."
Minister Bae emphasized innovation based on science and technology, stating at the inauguration ceremony held at the Sejong Ministry of Science and ICT building, "To achieve a potential growth rate of 3% and leap into the top five global powers, we can no longer advance by merely repeating past methods."
He noted that advanced science and technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI), are permeating society beyond industries and the economy, and he proposed four policy directions: building an AI ecosystem, restoring the research and development innovation ecosystem, realizing a powerhouse of AI and science and technology talents, and promoting tasks closely related to citizens' lives. In particular, he aimed to create a robust AI ecosystem and an environment where anyone can utilize AI to achieve the goal of becoming a leading AI nation. He also emphasized AI transformation (AX) and support for AI semiconductors, listing the enhancement of digital infrastructure and cybersecurity systems as major tasks.
Minister Bae also stated that he would restore grassroots basic research and support the introduction of AI to science and technology for the restoration of the research and development ecosystem. Regarding talent development, he announced plans to support the growth of young scientists and technology professionals and to promote AI-centered universities, while also committing to improve the treatment of researchers, including those in government-funded research institutes. Furthermore, he mentioned that enhancing consumer choice in communication services and creating an environment for everyone's AI utilization would also be part of the policy.
Minister Bae urged employees to "embrace AI as a partner in work" and to innovate work methods by utilizing AI, starting from small areas. He also emphasized horizontal organizational culture and communication with the field.
After his inauguration, Minister Bae held a town hall meeting with employees and answered their questions. He shared his vision for utilizing AI and conveyed to President Lee Jae-myung that "a new era of working with AI is opening." He mentioned the need for support for bio-research innovation through AI's reasoning model and stated that he would ensure AI is actively utilized in the field of basic science. Moreover, he highlighted the necessity of innovating the research and development system by creating AI at the director level based on data to establish hypotheses and solve problems in collaboration with research institutes.
Minister Bae added, "We need to create data related to AI based on reasoning and quickly establish an AI system at the director level by connecting that data with AI." He also promised to improve the research environment during his term, saying, "We will create a virtuous cycle where one talented individual leads many others, ensuring a research environment conducive to academic growth."
◇ Here is the full text of the inaugural speech.
Dear family of the Ministry of Science and ICT, I am Bae Gyeong-hun, the new Minister of Science and ICT. Today, I am taking my first step as the Minister of Science and ICT. I feel an enormous sense of honor and responsibility to be able to use the experiences I have accumulated in the private sector for the future of Korea.
Dear family of the Ministry of Science and ICT! A massive wave of advanced science and technology that will reshape existing orders, norms, and even the structure of civilization is now rushing in. The impact of advanced science and technology, represented by AI, is deeply permeating society and everyday life beyond industries and the economy.
The future of the nation will depend on how we design strategies and respond to the coming wave of innovation and change, 'coming wave.' We have achieved unprecedented growth through a strategy of rapidly adopting and chasing advanced techniques from other countries. However, now that we have reached the ranks of developed countries, to achieve a potential growth rate of 3% and leap into the top five global powers, we can no longer advance by merely repeating past methods. We must create a vibrant ecosystem filled with continuous innovation across corporations, universities, research institutes, and all industries by nurturing excellent talents and allowing them to challenge freely. We need to secure our unique competitiveness that others cannot imitate and transform the nation fundamentally through AI and advanced science and technology, increasing efficiency and productivity.
Based on this recognition, I will outline the policy directions that I will emphasize as the Minister of Science and ICT. First, to achieve the first pledge of the People Sovereignty Government, 'realizing the leap to become a leading AI nation,' I will establish a robust AI ecosystem and create an environment where everyone can utilize AI. To construct an AI highway, I will promptly expand world-class AI infrastructure such as the National AI Computing Center and Supercomputer No. 6. I will fully establish the world's best ultra-high-performance and ultra-intelligent digital infrastructure to support the advancing AI era.
Furthermore, I will create a safety and trust foundation for AI to be used safely, and I will also establish a robust cybersecurity system. To realize a basic society of AI, I will support securing AI foundation models and establish a national data integration platform to obtain and utilize high-quality training data. AI should not be limited to development but must be applied throughout our lives to achieve a true transformation. I will support AX in all sectors—public, regional, and industrial—to enhance vitality throughout Korea. I will support startups so that innovative AI startups can grow into global unicorns.
We will quickly secure next-generation technologies such as NPU and PIM in AI semiconductors and support the formation of initial markets to establish Korea's AI semiconductor industry ecosystem. I will ensure that the National AI Committee firmly establishes itself as an effective national AI control tower and will swiftly prepare subordinate laws under the AI basic law.
Secondly, I will quickly restore and strengthen the innovation ecosystem where R&D investment leads to growth cycles and create an environment where researchers can focus on their research. I will provide sufficient and stable R&D support to restore the previously declining research ecosystem. I will expand stable and predictable support for basic research, which is the seed of innovation. In particular, I will restore previously abolished grassroots basic research to enhance the research safety net.
In fields such as basic science, AI has become indispensable. I will support the introduction and utilization of AI to accelerate innovative research results. I will actively work on revising relevant laws to complete the abolition of the R&D feasibility assessment system to promptly respond to the rapidly changing technological environment. I will expand the participation of private experts in the science and technology policy decision-making process to ensure expertise and openness.
We will innovate to achieve results worthy of national representative research institutions. To enhance regional innovation capabilities, we will transition to a local autonomous R&D system where regions plan, execute, and manage themselves. We will boldly support securing future strategic technologies such as advanced bio, quantum, semiconductors, and secondary batteries. Additionally, I will strengthen our role as the overall ministry for R&D to spread government R&D outcomes across all industries, ensuring we seize future markets and create global innovative enterprises.
Thirdly, we will realize 'Korea as a powerhouse of AI and science and technology talents,' which is at the core of the national innovation ecosystem. I will expand support for the development of young scientists and technology professionals to ensure that Korea's excellent talents can grow without interruption, thoroughly supporting the entire life cycle. We will actively attract outstanding foreign talents to Korea while ensuring that our talents can pursue their dreams fully without going abroad, paying careful attention to their needs. In particular, the promotion of AI-centered universities and...
I will establish a support system for nurturing top-class talents in the AI field. I will pay attention to rationally improving the treatment of researchers, including those in government-funded research institutes, to boost the morale of science and technology professionals. Lastly, I will promote tasks closely related to citizens' lives so that citizens can tangibly feel the impact. I will enhance users' rights and empowerment, ensuring that all citizens have uninterrupted access to AI and can use high-quality communication services at reasonable prices.
I will create an AI utilization environment for 'everyone's AI' by providing customized education to marginalized groups. The broadcasting and media industry will fully embark on global expansion through K-FAST, among other initiatives.
We will provide high-quality media and content services to the public by integrating AI technology. I will strive to ensure that all citizens receive public services without feeling marginalized by utilizing post offices located throughout the region. Dear family of the Ministry of Science and ICT! As a department at the forefront of change, we must also innovate our work methods. First, I urge you to adopt an open mindset, accepting AI as a partner in your work. I understand that it may not be feasible to apply AI to all tasks immediately due to security and other reasons. However, we can start making meaningful changes in our work methods by using AI for small tasks such as organizing simple data and generating ideas. I also encourage you to put significant effort into communication and collaboration with the field. To keep up with the unprecedented rapid flow of technology...
Close communication and collaboration with the field are essential. Communication is not merely a goal but the key to enhancing the effectiveness of policies. I will lead by example, frequently visiting the field and meeting with researchers, corporate representatives, and citizens to engage in direct conversations. If needed, I will gladly listen to uncomfortable voices.
Lastly, I urge you to take the lead in creating an organizational culture where every member of the Ministry of Science and ICT is respected and feels a sense of pride. I believe true innovation is only possible when we can work in an environment of respect and cooperation rather than authority and hierarchy. I will take the initiative in creating a horizontal organizational culture where everyone can voice their opinions. Together, let us pave the way to realize the 'real Korea' through growth driven by AI and science and technology. Thank you.