- Presidential Decree on the Establishment and Operation of the National AI Strategy Committee approved at Cabinet meeting

The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT, Minister Bae Kyunghoon) announced that the Presidential Decree on the Establishment and Operation of the National AI Strategy Committee was approved at the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, September 2, paving the way for the formal establishment of the National AI Strategy Committee (hereinafter, the Committee).

The global contest for leadership in artificial intelligence has escalated from competition among individual corporations to an all-out rivalry among nations. Major countries have unveiled multi-trillion-won investment packages in AI* and are actively fostering it as a strategic national asset. In this environment, marshalling Korea’s full national capabilities is more urgent than ever to achieve the administration’s core policy goal of positioning Korea among the world’s top three AI powers.

*Examples: U.S. “Stargate Project” (approximately KRW 700 trillion); European Union (approximately KRW 300 trillion).

During his presidential campaign, President Lee Jae Myung pledged to strengthen Korea’s AI governance by directly chairing the national AI committee and leading a public–private governance framework. The newly adopted decree puts this promise into action, transforming the body into a substantive national AI strategy organ rather than a mere advisory group. As a result, upon the inauguration of the new administration, the Committee will be relaunched as the nation’s AI command center (“control tower”) for coordinating and implementing AI policy, with its name formally changed to the National AI Strategy Committee.

< Key Provisions of the Presidential Decree >

1. Expanded mandate

The Committee’s scope of authority has been broadened to direct and coordinate AI strategies, policies, and initiatives across government ministries. Its deliberation and decision-making powers now extend to:

 Establishing the national AI vision and medium- to long-term strategies;

 Coordinating AI-related policies and projects across ministries;

 Monitoring implementation and managing performance of AI initiatives.

This expansion ensures that the Committee will serve not only as an advisory forum but as a strategic body that unites government and private-sector capabilities to drive Korea’s advance into the global top three in AI.

2. Strengthened composition for execution

The Committee’s membership will increase from 45 to 50, and the number of vice chairs will expand from one to three, including one full-time vice chair from the private sector to ensure stronger operational capacity. The Senior Presidential Secretary for AI Future Planning will serve as Committee secretary.

Government members will be restructured around ministries and agencies closely linked to the “AI Top Three” policy priorities. Participating bodies include the Ministers of Economy and Finance; Education; Science and ICT; Foreign Affairs; National Defense; Interior and Safety; Culture, Sports and Tourism; Trade, Industry and Energy; Health and Welfare; Environment; Employment and Labor; SMEs and Startups, and the Chairperson of the Personal Information Protection Commission— a total of 13 ministries and agencies.

3. Establishment of a Council of Chief AI Officers

To strengthen policy execution, the decree authorizes the creation of a Council of Chief AI Officers under the Committee. The Council will be chaired by a Committee member designated by the President. Chief AI Officers will consist of vice-minister–level (or equivalent) officials appointed by central administrative agencies at the Committee’s request, as well as vice mayors or vice governors designated by metropolitan governments.

Minister Bae Kyunghoon stated,

“With this Presidential Decree, we have laid the institutional foundation for Korea’s national AI command center—the first step in realizing the Lee Jae Myung administration’s bold vision of joining the world’s top three AI powers. As the lead ministry with specialized expertise in AI policy, MSIT will mobilize all of its resources and take the forefront in ensuring Korea stands tall as a global AI powerhouse.”

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.