South Korea Appoints First-Ever AI Secretary, Unveils $735 Billion

South Korea Makes History by Appointing Its First AI Secretary

In a groundbreaking move that positions South Korea as a global leader in artificial intelligence governance, President Lee Jae-myung has officially appointed the nation’s first AI Secretary—a high-ranking official dedicated exclusively to national AI strategy and development.

This historic appointment is part of South Korea’s ambitious plan to build what it calls “sovereign artificial intelligence”—a form of AI development deeply rooted in Korean data, language, and cultural values.

A Bold Investment: KRW 100 Trillion (USD $735 Billion)

In tandem with the appointment, President Lee unveiled a monumental investment plan:

KRW 100 trillion, equivalent to around US $735 billion, will be allocated over the coming years to develop AI infrastructure, compute clusters, research, and talent development.

This funding will support:

• National supercomputing infrastructure
• Large-scale Korean-language AI models
• Ethical and cultural alignment in AI development
• Local AI startup ecosystems
• Global cooperation on AI safety and standards

Why a Sovereign AI?

South Korea’s leadership emphasizes the need to create AI that reflects local values, preserves cultural identity, and ensures data sovereignty in an age dominated by Western and Chinese AI giants.

By investing in sovereign AI, the government aims to:

• Reduce dependency on foreign tech platforms
• Promote data privacy and security
• Lead in culturally aligned AI ethics and regulation
• Support local language models and innovation

A New Global Trend

South Korea joins a growing list of countries like France, UAE, and India that are forming national strategies around AI leadership, ethics, and innovation. The appointment of an AI Secretary may soon become a standard in digital governance, especially as AI shapes economies, jobs, and national security.

What This Means for the Future?

This move signals a paradigm shift in how governments engage with AI—not just as users or regulators, but as active architects of its future. As the AI race heats up globally, Korea’s bold vision and funding may set a benchmark for others to follow.

Published June 2025. Last verified: June 2025.