The Ministry of the Interior and Safety plans to accelerate the transformation towards an AI-based administrative system and enhance disaster recovery (DR) systems as key initiatives for next year’s budget. Following the fire at the National Computing and Information Agency, the budget for restoring digital infrastructure and transitioning to private cloud technology has increased, indicating the government’s commitment to strengthening its data and AI administrative foundation.
The 2026 budget for the Ministry of the Interior and Safety was finalized at 76.9 trillion KRW, reflecting an increase of 4.8216 trillion KRW (a 6.7% rise) compared to this year’s main budget. Next year’s budget consists of 69.3549 trillion KRW for local allocation tax, 4.31 trillion KRW for basic expenses and personnel costs, and 7.1196 trillion KRW for project expenses. Notably, the project expenses saw an increase of 453.1 billion KRW during the National Assembly review.
As part of implementing an “AI Democratic Government,” a budget of 1.2661 trillion KRW has been allocated specifically for AI initiatives. The goal is to expand AI functionalities across government services without redundant investments by utilizing a government-wide AI common base. This would enable citizens to access administrative services through a conversational interface without cumbersome procedures. The budget also includes a new project to process public data into a learnable form for private companies’ AI development and projects such as expanding public data construction and opening, building next-generation local administrative systems, which are expected to speed up the government’s transition to AI and data-driven administration.
Following the fire incident at the National Computing and Information Agency in September, the DR system enhancement budget has been increased. This includes 49 billion KRW for establishing computing equipment for urgent recovery and transitioning to private cloud services. Additionally, the budget for improving major DR systems and the phased relocation of the outdated Daejeon Center has increased by 343.4 billion KRW, reflecting efforts to overhaul the safety of the government’s digital infrastructure.
Furthermore, the budget for promoting balanced regional growth has significantly increased to 2.611 trillion KRW, along with 1.15 trillion KRW to support the issuance of local love gift certificates and investments to counter regional depopulation and foster village enterprises. The budget for disaster response has also expanded, covering AI and drone-based disaster prediction and monitoring systems, disaster safety data enhancement, and disaster-prone area refurbishment projects. The budget related to social solidarity economy has also increased by 11.8 billion KRW since its assignment to the ministry, which will speed up the infrastructure development.
Minister Yoon Ho-jung stated that next year’s budget focuses on tasks that will impact citizens positively, such as realizing an AI democratic government, promoting balanced regional growth, and ensuring public safety. He emphasized the ministry’s commitment to effectively executing the budget based on the values of participation, solidarity, and innovation, aiming to transform into a reliable “Ministry of Happiness and Safety” that protects citizens’ happiness across various sectors.