The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning has been elevated to a vice-ministerial level department, taking on the role of a control tower in the fields of science, technology, and artificial intelligence. On the 30th, the government deliberated and approved a bill to amend the Government Organization Act, including the elevation of the Ministry at the cabinet meeting.
The Ministry aims to gather resources and capabilities from the government, private sector, and local governments to support the new government’s core national agenda of becoming one of the top three AI powerhouse countries. Through this, it aims to lead national AI innovation and secure a leading position in global competition.
Following the organizational restructuring, the existing AI dedicated department, which was at the bureau level, will be expanded into the AI Policy Office. Under the AI Policy Office, the AI Policy Planning Officer and AI Infrastructure Policy Officer will be newly established. The AI Policy Office will serve as the central organization for planning and executing national AI policies, fostering ecosystems, and promoting AI innovation across the government.
Baek Kyung-hoon, the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning, stated, “This organizational restructuring will serve as a catalyst for a national transformation, leading to structural changes across people’s lives, the economy, and industry through science and technology and artificial intelligence.” He added, “As a vice-minister, I will take on the heavy responsibility and lead Korea to establish itself as a global leading nation.”