The National Planning Committee urged government officials to implement President Lee Jae-myung's pledges with a renewed commitment. In particular, it requested that measures be developed to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) across industries to ensure the nation does not fall behind in AI competition.
Lee Han-joo, chairperson of the National Planning Committee, attended the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's work report held in Sejong City on the morning of the 19th and said, "The Ministry is the top policy institution for the real economy, which plays a pivotal role in our economy," adding, "We must not just keep up in this fierce competition in science and technology, but we need to lead it."
He emphasized, "The new government's pledges were drafted with expectations for AI-centered industrial policy. We need to make a real growth push and start anew with renewed determination," adding, "Many people are scattered, and public officials must now approach their work with a new commitment."
The chairperson is expected to attend the Ministry of Employment and Labor's work report following the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's report. Cho Seung-rae, spokesperson for the National Planning Committee, noted in a briefing on the morning of the same day, "The chairperson attended the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy after the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups the day before because this is considered a key issue related to real growth," adding, "It is also essential that those working receive proper treatment and compensation."
Lee Chun-suk, a member of the Democratic Party who serves as the head of the Economic 2nd Division, remarked during the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's work report, "In the past three years, industrial policy has been disappointing in both direction and implementation," stating, "Government investment and corporate support for core industries such as semiconductors and batteries have been significantly lacking compared to major competitor countries."
The member also emphasized the need for measures in the AI sector. "Korea is one of the few countries with native talent. If we fall behind here, we risk losing our AI technology sovereignty and becoming a subordinate nation in AI," the member said, urging, "Please think more about how to integrate AI into our key industries like semiconductors, automobiles, and shipbuilding, where we have competitiveness, to create a technology-leading AI industry."