KAIST, the National Assembly’s Committee on Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications, and the Ministry of Science and ICT jointly hosted a forum to discuss strategies in response to the results of the U.S. presidential election. The forum, held on the 7th at the National Assembly, emphasized the importance of advancing essential technologies like artificial intelligence and semiconductors.
KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung stated that the U.S. election could lead to significant changes in the international landscape and intensify U.S.-China technological competition. However, he noted that this also presents both challenges and opportunities for Korea. He stressed the need for Korea to enhance its essential technologies to the world’s highest standards to secure scientific and technological sovereignty. To achieve this, he underlined the importance of nurturing scientific and technological talent.
Kim Hyuk-joong, a researcher at the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, spoke about potential shifts in U.S. policy towards China post-2025, predicting strong measures in semiconductor export controls, foreign investment regulations, and tariffs.
The second speaker, Lee Joo-heon, Director of Strategic Technology at the Ministry of Science and ICT, emphasized the U.S.’s aim to maintain its leadership in advanced technologies. He suggested acquiring super-gap technology and strengthening global strategic technology partnerships as Korea’s response.
Yoo Hee-joon from KAIST’s Graduate School of AI Semiconductor discussed Korea’s strategic responses in advanced technologies, advocating for risk management arising from U.S.-China tensions, diversification of semiconductor supply chains, and leadership in next-generation technologies like AI semiconductors.
In the subsequent discussion, Yoon Ji-woong, President of the Science and Technology Policy Institute, called for agile responses and strengthening of foundational capabilities in light of U.S. policy changes. Lee Dong-soo, Director at Naver Cloud, and Professor Baek Seo-in from Hanyang University’s ERICA campus highlighted the importance of developing foundation models for building an AI ecosystem and enhancing international cooperation amid the interaction of technology, economy, and security.