Korea’s AI Committee Aims to Unlock $1 Trillion in Exports

KOTRA Launches Enterprising AI Strategy to Propel Korean Exports and Global Tech Leadership

SEOUL – In a significant move to leverage artificial intelligence for economic growth, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) today unveiled its comprehensive “KOTRA AI Strategy Promotion” plan. This ambitious initiative aims to transform KOTRA into an AI-driven institution, bolstering Korea’s export capabilities and solidifying its position among global AI powerhouses. The strategy, built upon the vision of “AI Daejeon Conversion Institution of Korea Trade investment,” outlines 11 key tasks across three strategic pillars: enhancing the AI-powered export support system, globalizing the national AI ecosystem, and expanding internal AI adoption.Breaking News: KOTRA’s strategic pivot towards AI signifies a critical juncture for Korean trade and technology.The agency is setting a clear roadmap to harness AI’s transformative power, aiming to unlock new avenues for export growth and foster a more robust national AI landscape.

At the forefront of this strategy is the introduction of an “AI Export Assistant.” This innovative, AI-driven interactive service window is designed to revolutionize how KOTRA supports businesses. By providing real-time solutions to complex company queries and requests,it will streamline information acquisition,aid in decision-making,and bolster marketing efforts.This enhancement of the export support system underscores KOTRA’s commitment to providing cutting-edge tools for Korean enterprises navigating the global marketplace.Evergreen Insight: In an increasingly complex global economy, the ability to provide agile and intelligent support to businesses is paramount. AI-powered advisory services, like KOTRA’s proposed assistant, offer a scalable and efficient solution to meet diverse business needs, ensuring businesses can adapt and thrive amidst evolving market dynamics.

The “globalization of the national AI ecosystem” pillar focuses on strengthening korea’s AI industry on the international stage. This includes intensified support for overseas expansion of domestic AI companies, boosting exports in AI-related sectors with a particular emphasis on the “K-grid” initiative, and championing global AI innovation flagship projects. Furthermore, KOTRA plans to actively conduct global AI trend surveys, attract foreign AI companies to Korea, and crucially, draw in top-tier international AI talent. To this end, KOTRA will expand its “Overseas Talent Attraction Center” to actively recruit AI specialists from key markets such as the US, Europe, and India.Evergreen Insight: Cultivating a thriving national AI ecosystem requires a dual approach: nurturing domestic innovation and strategically integrating global expertise. By actively supporting its own AI companies’ international ventures and together attracting foreign talent and investment, a nation can accelerate its AI progress and create a more competitive and dynamic technological landscape.

Internally, KOTRA is committed to fostering an AI-centric organizational culture. This involves optimizing workflows through AI integration,adopting AI solutions within its operations,and crucially,upskilling its workforce by enhancing AI literacy among employees. This internal transformation is seen as vital to effectively implementing and managing its broader AI strategy.

KOTRA President Kang Kyung-sung emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative, stating, “The more opportunities for AI transformation are shaken, the more opportunities will be held.” He added, “KOTRA will accelerate the realization of $1 trillion in exports and the positioning as a top-three AI power by improving the AI export support system and globalizing the national AI ecosystem.”

The agency has also enlisted external expertise from leading academics, including Jang Byung-Tak from Seoul National University and yoon Jong-young from Kookmin University, to bolster the strategic direction and technical prowess of its AI initiatives.

What specific policies or incentives is the Korean government implementing to encourage AI companies to export their solutions?

The National AI Strategy & Export Goals

south korea, officially the Republic of Korea (대한민국 – Daehan Minguk, or 한국 – Hanguk), has established a dedicated committee focused on boosting artificial intelligence (AI) exports to reach a staggering $1 trillion by 2030. This ambitious goal underscores the nation’s commitment to becoming a global leader in the burgeoning AI industry.The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), isn’t simply about selling AI technology; it’s about exporting complete AI solutions and establishing Korea as a trusted partner in global AI progress.

this push comes as the world increasingly recognizes the transformative power of AI across sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and autonomous systems. Korea’s strategy leverages its existing strengths in semiconductors, telecommunications (5G & 6G), and robotics to create a competitive edge.Interestingly, the past naming conventions – the distinction between “Korea” (South Korea/Hanguk) and “North Korea” (Joseon/Chosŏn) – highlight the importance of accurate representation and understanding of the Korean peninsula in a global context, a principle extending to its technological identity.

Key Pillars of the Export Strategy

the committee’s plan rests on several key pillars designed to accelerate AI export growth:

Focus on High-Value AI Solutions: Moving beyond basic AI components, the strategy prioritizes exporting integrated AI solutions tailored to specific industry needs. This includes smart factories, AI-powered healthcare diagnostics, and autonomous driving technologies.

Targeted Market Expansion: Identifying and prioritizing key export markets is crucial. Initial focus areas include the United States, Europe (especially Germany and the UK), and Southeast Asian nations like singapore and Vietnam.

Government Support & Funding: MOTIE is providing substantial financial support to Korean AI companies, including grants, loans, and export insurance. This funding is designed to help companies scale their operations, invest in R&D, and navigate the complexities of international markets.

Regulatory Harmonization: Working to align Korean AI standards and regulations with international norms to facilitate smoother market access for Korean AI products and services.

Talent Development: Investing in education and training programs to cultivate a skilled AI workforce capable of developing and deploying cutting-edge AI technologies. This includes fostering collaboration between universities, research institutions, and industry.

Sector-Specific Opportunities & Growth Areas

Several sectors are poised for critically important growth in AI exports:

Manufacturing (Smart Factories): Korea’s expertise in manufacturing,combined with its advancements in AI and robotics,positions it as a leader in providing smart factory solutions. These solutions optimize production processes, improve quality control, and reduce costs.

Healthcare AI: AI-driven medical imaging analysis, drug finding, and personalized medicine are key areas of focus. Korea’s advanced healthcare infrastructure and strong research capabilities provide a solid foundation for innovation.

autonomous Systems: Development and export of autonomous driving technologies, delivery robots, and drone-based solutions are gaining momentum.

Financial Technology (fintech): AI-powered fraud detection, algorithmic trading, and personalized financial advice are driving growth in the FinTech sector.

AI-Enhanced Cybersecurity: With increasing cyber threats, Korean companies are developing and exporting AI-based cybersecurity solutions to protect critical infrastructure and data.

Case Study: Hyundai Motor Group’s AI Investments

Hyundai Motor Group exemplifies Korea’s commitment to AI. The automotive giant is heavily investing in AI for autonomous driving, robotics, and smart factory automation. Their collaborations with Boston Dynamics (acquired in 2020) demonstrate a strategic focus on integrating advanced robotics and AI into their manufacturing processes and future vehicle technologies. This isn’t just about internal improvements; Hyundai aims to export these technologies and solutions to othre automotive manufacturers and industrial partners globally.

Benefits of Korea’s AI Export Push

The potential benefits of achieving the $1 trillion export goal are substantial:

Economic Growth: A significant boost to the Korean economy, creating new jobs and driving innovation.

Technological Leadership: Solidifying Korea’s position as a global leader in AI technology and innovation.

* Enhanced Global Competitiveness: