South Korea is set to revise regulations and accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence within its service sector as part of a broader strategy to stimulate economic growth. President Lee Jae Myung has emphasized the critical need for speed in executing major chip and AI investment projects, warning that delays could compromise the nation's global standing in these advanced industries.
During a meeting with government officials and executives from leading chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, Lee called for the prompt implementation of large-scale semiconductor and AI initiatives. The government recently announced its 'three mega projects,' which center on significant investments in semiconductors, physical AI, and AI data centers. Samsung and SK have committed to investing a combined 800 trillion won (US$522 billion) to establish a semiconductor production cluster in the southwestern Honam region.
President Lee highlighted the intense global competition in AI and stressed that rapid action would be the decisive factor in shaping the nation's future. He urged government bodies to proactively identify and address potential obstacles to project execution, allowing companies to concentrate on investment and operations. Specifically, Lee called for streamlining administrative procedures, including mandatory environmental impact reviews for the semiconductor cluster plan, to prevent delays in investment.
The government's push aims to secure dominance in these future-oriented industries amidst a rapidly evolving technological landscape.