- The Work Plan Briefing by MSIT and KASA
for the Second Half of 2026 -
Focus Areas
1. Carrying out three major mega projects at full scale
2. Realizing an AI Universal Basic Society for all
3. Building a world-leading science and technology ecosystem
4. Building a growth ladder for young people while supporting innovation-driven growth in the regions
5. Becoming one of the world’s top five aerospace powers
[Relevant National Tasks]
20. Establishing an “AI Highway” to Become a Top Three Global AI Powerhouses (AI G3)
21. Becoming the world’s most AI-literate country
22. Securing “unmatched” frontier technologies and talent in AI
23. Realizing a “Universal Basic AI Society” to enhance public safety and universal quality of life
26. Innovating systems to leap into the top five global S&T powerhouses
27. Cultivating a basic research ecosystem and emerging as a global S&T talent powerhouse
28. Nurturing next-generation (NEXT) strategic technologies that lead the world
The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister: Bae Kyung-hoon) and the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA, Administrator: Oh Tae-seong) briefed President Lee Jae Myung on the work plan for the second half of 2026 at 10 a.m. on July 16 at Yeongbingwan, Cheongwadae.
As the second work plan briefing presided over by the President since the inauguration of the new administration, the meeting closely reviewed whether the policies and issues reported last December were being implemented as planned, and held in-depth discussions on the key tasks to be pursued in the second half of 2026.
Under the goal of “An Unrivaled Korea, Happy Together Through AI and Science and Technology,” MSIT set five key focus areas for the second half of 2026, and prepared detailed key tasks in line with these five directions: (1) carrying out three major mega projects at full scale; (2) realizing an AI Universal Basic Society for all; (3) building a world-leading science and technology ecosystem; (4) building a growth ladder for young people while supporting innovation-driven growth in the regions; and (5) becoming one of the world’s top five aerospace powers.
(1) Carrying Out Three Major Mega Projects at Full Scale
This task aims to secure world-leading capabilities in AI data centers, physical AI, and K-semiconductors, taking Korea from recovery to a new leap forward and ultimately realizing an unrivaled Korea.
We will promote AI data centers as a national strategic industry.
We will support the smooth operation of gigawatt-scale, ultra-large AI data centers to be built through private investment worth 550 trillion won from companies such as SK, GS, and Naver. Through a three-pronged support system — a cross-ministry task force, a public-private alliance, and a dedicated support team — we will expedite administrative procedures companies need to take care of such as securing electricity and land, and obtaining permits and licenses.
Starting next year, we will localize and advance core solutions for AI data centers, as well as key IT, power, and cooling equipment. In connection with the establishment of clusters, we will provide a comprehensive support package covering talent, test labs, financing, and exports, while focusing on fostering upstream and downstream industries.
We will secure world-leading competitiveness in physical AI.
Physical AI is an area where Korea can excel given its strong industrial infrastructure and world-class AI capabilities. Therefore, we aim to become the world’s leading country in physical AI by 2030.
To secure the high-quality data essential for physical AI — data that combines motion with the laws of physics — starting this year, we will begin developing a sovereign world model, an AI system that mass-produces synthetic data combining motion and the laws of physics. Building on the accumulated data, we will establish a system for training physical AI models, and secure a world-leading physical AI foundation model within the next three years. Based on this, we will complete a domestic physical AI full stack and demonstrate these technological achievements not only in manufacturing but also in defense, care services, agriculture, and other fields, ultimately fostering physical AI as an export industry.
We will further strengthen Korea’s world-leading position in K-semiconductors.
We will establish a K-AI semiconductor full package ecosystem where everything — from AI semiconductor chips to infrastructure, networks, software, and services — is developed in Korea. We will also expand support to help the market gain a foothold in its early stages through public-led procurement support such as facilitating the adoption of products developed by large companies and designating innovative products for public procurement.
To secure source technologies for next-generation semiconductors, we will complete preliminary planning in the second half of this year and then begin developing ultra-fine semiconductors (1nm-class devices) that can overcome the physical limitations of current semiconductors, as well as stacked semiconductors (next-generation HBM).
(2) Realizing an AI Universal Basic Society for All
To ensure that differences in AI accessibility and utilization capabilities do not turn into economic and social divides, we will shape an environment where everyone can easily use our homegrown AI without financial burden.
We will launch AI services for all so that all people can use our sovereign AI.
Within this year, we will provide the public with a general-purpose AI chatbot service (similar to ChatGPT) powered by our sovereign AI model, free of charge and without usage limits. This service will also include an AI feature that helps people easily find and access various government support programs such as youth support benefits, providing relevant information and even handling applications on their behalf in one seamless process.
Starting next year, we will evolve the service into AI agents, which are more accessible and easier to use than conventional chatbots, ushering in an era where everyone has their own personal AI agent.
We will secure a globally top-tier sovereign AI model.
As the US tightens AI-related access controls, securing a sovereign AI model has become increasingly important. Within the second half of this year, we aim to secure a homegrown AI model ranking among the world’s top 10 in performance. After that, we will focus on securing a globally top-tier sovereign AI model through bold, concentrated support in advanced GPUs, data, and talent.
We will ensure that everyone can use AI in their daily lives.
In parallel, we will strengthen AI literacy education for all citizens. Together with 12 relevant ministries, including MSIT, the Ministry of Education (MOE), and the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL), we will provide AI learning opportunities to 5.14 million people within this year. In particular, starting in the second half of this year, we will further improve accessibility by creating an online platform where citizens can easily find and enroll in both private- and public-sector AI courses in one place, and by expanding outreach AI education for senior citizens and vulnerable groups.
AI services closely related to people’s daily lives will also be launched within this year. Beginning in the second half of this year with four services (agricultural and livestock product price comparison, AI-based tax consultation, national heritage guide, and crisis response for children and adolescents on social media), a total of 10 services will be launched by next year.
We will build a safe AI-enabled daily life for all.
To protect people’s valuable assets and information from AI-driven cyber threats, starting in July, we have begun using cutting-edge AI to identify vulnerabilities in infrastructure critical to public life and safety, such as telecommunications and digital platforms. In addition, we plan to develop and distribute a security-specialized AI model built on our sovereign AI model.
(3) Building a World-leading Science and Technology Ecosystem
This task aims to accelerate the fostering of strategic technologies in order to lead the global race for technological leadership and secure an unrivaled growth engine.
We will solve national challenges by applying AI to strategic technology research.
We will accelerate the “K-Moonshot,” a project that aims to resolve national challenges by applying AI to research in strategic technologies. In the quantum field, we aim to secure a domestically developed 50-qubit quantum computer within this year, and to develop a 100-qubit error-correcting quantum computer by 2029. In addition, we will designate quantum clusters to actively support the discovery and spread of region-based quantum technology use cases.
In the field of new drug development, we have been building, since April this year, an autonomous experimentation infrastructure that enables the rapid, AI- and robot-based verification of new drug candidates designed by AI. In 2027, we plan to begin developing a cancer-specialized AI model, and unveil an initial version by the end of 2028. These efforts are expected to significantly shorten the drug development timeline.
For brain-computer interfaces (BCI) — technology that controls computers using brain signals — we aim to demonstrate a BCI product for people with paralysis affecting all four limbs by 2030. To this end, we will launch a BCI consortium comprising industry, academia, research institutes, and hospitals this August, and begin developing source technologies next year, including AI that interprets and decodes signals between the brain and computers.
We will secure world’s first and best technologies to drive the energy transition.
To prepare for the rapidly growing electricity demand in the AI era, we will accelerate technological innovation in areas such as small modular reactors (SMR) and nuclear fusion. In the SMR field, alongside the ongoing construction of the first commercial SMR (scheduled for completion by 2035), we plan to unveil a strategy for developing next-generation SMRs such as molten salt reactors (MSR) and micro modular reactors (MMR) in July. Next year, we will also launch a large-scale public-private project to build a nuclear-powered vessel equipped with an SMR.
In the field of nuclear fusion, the “dream energy,” we are currently designing a demonstration reactor with the goal of achieving power generation in the 2030s. To complete the demonstration reactor by 2035, we plan to begin establishing public-private cooperation models such as SPC (Special Purpose Company) starting next year.
In addition, we will shift to a national R&D system that maximizes researchers’ willingness to take on challenges and to innovate. We will carry out institutional reforms to remove obstacles that hinder innovation and focus throughout the R&D process, and to help researchers maximize their creativity and spirit of challenge.
We will create an environment where researchers can focus only on research.
We will introduce a “failure-as-an-asset” system so that researchers can boldly take on challenges without fear of failure. By revising the Enforcement Decree of the National Research and Development Innovation Act this July, we will ensure that researchers who demonstrate excellence in the research process still receive support for follow-up research, even if they did not achieve their original research goals.
We will also link and integrate information systems to reduce researchers’ administrative burden. First, we will expand the linkage between individual research institutions’ systems and the government-wide Integrated R&D Information System (IRIS) to fundamentally eliminate the inconvenience of researchers having to input the same information redundantly in both systems. We also plan to integrate, by 2028, the major research support systems that have until now been separately operated including IRIS (for research projects), Ezbaro and RCMS (for research funding), and NTIS (for disclosing research outcomes).
In addition, for new technologies that are difficult for the private sector to invest in, we will introduce “investment-based R&D,” a new support method under which the government shares investment risk, while creating a virtuous cycle of recovering returns from successful investments and reinvesting them. We will establish the legal basis within 2026 and launch a pilot program in 2027.
We will use AI to innovate research methods and R&D management systems.
We will expand infrastructure to introduce AI throughout the entire research process and improve research productivity. In September this year, we will launch the sixth national supercomputer, equipped with cutting-edge GPUs, laying the foundation for providing researchers with timely access to advanced computing resources. We will also prepare subordinate regulations under the Research Data Act (effective June 2027), which will enable the full sharing and use of all research data, except for information related to national security or corporate trade secrets.
We will also introduce AI in research administration. By applying AI to R&D management processes — including selecting evaluation committee members, monitoring research funding, and interpreting research administrative regulations — we aim to enhance fairness and reliability.
We will improve the innovative capabilities of industry, academia, and research institutions.
With the phased abolition of the Project-based System (PBS), we plan to complete the establishment of distinct missions for each government-funded research institute within this year. We will integrate administrative functions common across institutions, such as auditing, hiring, and public relations, and improve the technology transfer system so that technology transfer revenues can be used as bonuses for outstanding employees, thereby fostering government-funded institutes as the nation’s flagship research institutions.
We will also introduce a block funding model that allows universities to invest in research personnel and infrastructure at their own discretion, and will select corporate R&D centers with outstanding capabilities in core technologies to promote corporate R&D activities.
(4) Building a Growth Ladder for Young People while Supporting Innovation-driven Growth in the Regions
This task aims to support talented individuals with potential so that they can pursue their dreams in the fields of science, technology, and AI, boost economic vitality through entrepreneurship and quality jobs, and open a new future.
We will build a growth ladder that enables young talent to pursue their dreams through science, technology, and AI.
To encourage talented individuals to enter and remain in Korea’s science and engineering fields, we will expand gifted schools affiliated with Korea’s science and technology institutes (by opening two new schools in Chungbuk and Gwangju, and converting around three existing schools into gifted schools), and attract approximately 600 talented individuals from overseas within this year by offering research funding, preferential visa treatment, and improved living and settlement conditions.
We will also expand our growth and support system for young talent throughout the entire career pathway from master’s to doctoral to early-career researcher. Our plan is to raise the scholarship coverage for master’s and doctoral students from the current 1.3% to 2.8% within this year, with the goal of reaching 10% by 2030, while gradually expanding basic research funding coverage for early-career faculty to 70% by 2030.
In the fields of AI and AX, we will innovate university AI education through AI-focused universities and establish new AX graduate schools based on industry-academia cooperation, nurturing highly capable young talent.
We support young people’s future through deep tech startups and job creation.
By establishing new startup centers within Korea’s science and technology institutes (increasing the number from one to four) and strengthening the demonstration and incubation capabilities of these institutes and government-funded research institutes, we will identify more than 500 deep tech startup teams within this year. In parallel, we will introduce exceptions for conflict-of-interest rules to encourage entrepreneurship within research institutes, and improve related policies at these science and technology institutes, such as removing restrictions on leaves of absence for founding startups and extending entrepreneurial leave.
In particular, to provide focused support for AI startups, we will expand public-private investment funding to 2 trillion won within this year, while newly establishing a 20-billion won “AI venture fund” for concentrated investment in early-stage AI startups. In addition, we will provide an integrated development environment where young people can develop their own AI services, provide outstanding developers with expert consulting, and support them in launching startups.
Above all, we will create quality jobs so that young people can build stable careers in Korea. We will comprehensively identify talented candidates — including full-time researchers and postdoctoral researchers at universities, as well as faculty, researchers, and dedicated support staff at the four science and technology institutes (KAIST, GIST, DGIST, and UNIST) and regional branches of government-funded research institutes. We will also create job and internship opportunities in the fields of AI and information security that lead to actual employment.
We will use AI and science and technology as a catalyst for innovative growth in the regions.
We will support the resurgence of regional economies and a nationwide transformation through the AI transition of regional industries, while using R&D as a catalyst for self-sustaining regional growth.
In the second half of this year, we plan to begin full-scale development of AX hubs in four regional blocks: Seonam (mobility and energy), Dongnam (precision manufacturing), Daegyeong (bio, healthcare, and robotics), and Jeonbuk (AI factories). Next year, we will expand AX nationwide by adding three more regional blocks including Jungbu, Gangwon, and Jeju.
At the same time, we will establish joint AX research institutes between Korea’s four science and technology institutes and companies to supply core technologies for regional strategic industries and field-ready research personnel in a timely manner. In addition, we will support the expansion of out-of-school AI innovation education programs such as the Innovation Academy and AI/SW Maestro to non-metropolitan areas, to help young people in these regions build the capabilities needed for employment and entrepreneurship.
To help regions develop the capabilities they need on their own, we will significantly expand region-led R&D funding, tentatively planning to allocate approximately three times the current budget in 2027. In addition, we will establish a new basic research track dedicated to early-career researchers in the regions, and improve related systems, such as reducing the R&D matching ratio required of regional companies, so that the expanded R&D funding can help revitalize regional R&D ecosystems.
(5) Becoming One of the World’s Top Five Aerospace Powers
Based on the “Korea’s Aerospace Industry Promotion Strategy” approved by the National Space Council on July 3, we will fully implement key tasks aimed at increasing the number of aerospace companies to 1,200 by 2035 and raising Korea’s global market share to 3.0%.
We will build a space highway.
In the second half of this year, we will carry out the fifth launch of the Korean Launch Vehicle Nuri carrying 15 satellites in total including a constellation of five microsatellites. We will also advance the development of a next-generation reusable launch vehicle aimed at reducing launch costs to one-tenth of current levels, while selecting the site for Korea’s second space center.
We will rise to become a powerhouse in the aviation industry.
We will launch “Team Korea,” a cooperative body of relevant ministries and the private sector, in August, to participate as a core partner in the international joint development of next-generation civil aircraft from the design stage, while also pursuing the localization of advanced aircraft engines.
We will pioneer new economic frontiers on the Moon.
In the second half of this year, we will launch the Lunar Space Environment Monitor (LUSEM) and keep the development and launch of a lunar communications satellite in 2029 and a small lunar lander in 2030 on schedule, securing an early foothold in the future space economy. To strengthen national security and communications sovereignty and create new markets in space and telecommunications, we will bring together nationwide capabilities from the public and private sectors to establish a Korean low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications network by 2035.
We will establish the South Coast Aerospace Belt.
We will develop Sacheon, where KASA’s headquarters is located, into a comprehensive aerospace hub for research, manufacturing, and administration, while creating a private-led innovation ecosystem by linking Jinju, Changwon, Suncheon, and Goheung.
In an era when securing advanced technology is directly tied to a nation’s survival, MSIT and KASA will not tolerate even the slightest delay, pursuing policies with a strong sense of urgency, and will do their utmost to ensure that the policies outlined in this work plan do not merely remain on paper, but translate into changes that the public can genuinely feel.
For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division (Phone: +82-44-202-4034, E-mail: msitmedia@korea.kr) of the Ministry of Science and ICT.
Please refer to the attached PDF.