Former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung has pledged to invest up to 100 trillion won in artificial intelligence (AI) to make South Korea one of the top three AI powerhouses globally.
In a Facebook post ahead of his visit to FuriosaAI, a local AI chip startup, Lee described AI as a “game-changer” that will reshape the global economy. “We will open an era of 100 trillion-won in AI investment,” he wrote. The government, according to Lee, will act as a catalyst for private investment and increase the AI budget to levels exceeding those of developed countries.
Lee also vowed to remove unnecessary and unreasonable regulations hindering companies before they secure investments. He emphasized the need for a conducive environment for businesses to thrive, promising to ensure that companies are free from regulatory hurdles.
Furthermore, Lee pledged to expand the number of “AI special zones,” which enjoy regulatory exemptions related to patent and immigration laws. He also plans to initiate a project aimed at providing every citizen with free access to AI services, potentially creating a “Korean ChatGPT.” “If this so-called ‘Korean ChatGPT’ becomes available to the entire population, we can accumulate vast amounts of data in a short time,” he said. “We will lead the convergence of AI industries.”
The former DP leader believes that advancements in AI will boost productivity and reduce working hours, ushering in a “work-life balance” era. He highlighted the potential benefits of AI in improving the quality of life for citizens.
Lee also announced plans for international cooperation in the AI sector, including the creation of a joint investment fund with partner countries. He noted that partnerships with countries in the Pacific, India, and the Middle East could expand the digital population within the network to as many as 1 billion people.
Lee is currently considered the front-runner in the upcoming June 3 presidential election, with early opinion polls showing his lead against presidential aspirants from the People Power Party.
