**”AI Policy Focused on Functionality: Less Regulation, More Support”**
**”Provision of Apartments and Alternative Military Service for Key AI Talent”**
Han Duck-soo, an independent presidential candidate, announced on the 7th that he would establish a new ‘AI Innovation Strategy Department,’ which will be at the deputy prime minister level. This department will be responsible for research and development (R&D), talent cultivation, and diplomatic support related to artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
Yoon Ki-chan, the policy spokesperson for Han Duck-soo’s campaign, stated at a policy announcement that competition among various government departments over AI-related policies had led to excessive regulation rather than integrated responses. To address this, the proposed AI Innovation Strategy Department aims to centralize functions related to AI, science, industry, R&D, and human resource development, which are currently scattered across different ministries.
The AI Innovation Strategy Department will become an independent body similar to the existing 19 ministries, like the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, with its minister also serving as a deputy prime minister. It will consolidate AI-related functions currently distributed among the Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Education, and the Personal Information Protection Committee, to strengthen support and reduce regulations for AI technologies and industries.
The department would also have budgetary control over government projects related to AI technology, determining the allocation of R&D funds within predetermined expenditure limits set by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance.
Furthermore, the National Science and Technology Advisory Council would be expanded into the ‘National Science and Technology Data Commission’ to enhance data usage for AI innovation. Additionally, national research institutes like the National AI Policy Research Institute and the National Technology Innovation Strategy Institute would be reinforced.
Han’s campaign outlined plans to build national infrastructure to support the AI industry, including securing 500,000 units of core AI hardware like GPUs (graphics processing units) and NPUs (neural processing units) by 2030.
To attract talent, a 1 trillion KRW fund will be established to nurture outstanding young talent, offer special apartment allocations to key personnel, and provide alternative military service for those required to serve. Foreign talent would be offered special visas.
Moreover, government systems would transition to cloud computing, fully opening departmental data for mutual access, and applying AI technology to administrative processes to enhance automation. Public service offerings would be personalized and streamlined to provide ‘one-stop’ solutions.
Additionally, while AI regulatory sandboxes would be actively implemented to provide temporary regulatory exemptions, the economic and social impacts of AI technology applications would also be assessed.