Lead

South Korea's Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said Thursday that the government will accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) transformation in the public sector, including expanding a trial AI-driven work system to all central government agencies by the end of the year. Han made the remarks during a national policy coordination meeting, according to Yonhap News.

"AI is no longer just the domain for technology or industry. It demands us to change the way we work and live. The government is going to transform itself in line with these changes," Han said. "The AI democratic government we aim for is a capable and kind government befitting the AI era."

Coverage comparison

Yonhap News provided consistent reporting on the announcement, with two articles covering the July 9 policy meeting and a third describing a follow-up AI lecture held at the prime minister's office on July 10. All three reports quoted Han directly and focused on the government's commitment to adopting AI across its operations.

The reports described the "On-AI" system, an AI-driven work platform in use at four ministries on a trial basis since April, which will be expanded to all 47 central government agencies by year's end. The government also plans to disclose 100 kinds of core public data for AI-based applications.

According to Yonhap, the prime minister's office said after the meeting that the government aims to transition into a "people-centered AI government" in which AI helps provide welfare services tailored to individuals, realizing a "warm and inclusive administration that leaves no blind spot." Specific projects and details are expected to be determined soon.

Key claims

  • The government will expand the "On-AI" work system to all 47 central government agencies by the end of the year, according to Prime Minister Han Seong-sook, as reported by Yonhap.
  • The government will disclose 100 kinds of core public data for AI-based uses, Han said at the policy coordination meeting.
  • Han emphasized using AI to reduce simple and repetitive tasks, allowing civil servants to focus on essential work that improves people's lives.
  • The prime minister's office held a morning lecture on AI on July 10, delivered by Lee Seung-hyun, CEO and founder of AI consulting firm Alpaca Lab and author of the book "AI National Wealth."
  • Lee said AI has moved beyond a simple work tool into an "AI agent era" where humans work alongside AI, and recommended that the prime minister's office establish a data road map and update infrastructure and systems for the public sector to lead AI transformation.
  • During the policy meeting, officials also discussed measures to minimize damage from heavy rains, including strengthening patrols in high-risk areas and preemptively controlling access to such areas.
  • Preparations were also discussed for an international aviation safety assessment that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) plans to conduct on South Korea in December for the first time in 18 years. In 2008, South Korea ranked first in the world in aviation safety, recording a 98.89 percent implementation rate of international safety standards, according to Yonhap.
Prime Minister Han, an information technology expert who previously served as CEO of online portal Naver before joining the government last year, has made AI adoption a top agenda item. At the lecture, she said that "AI innovation is no longer an option, but a fundamental capability of public servants," and urged her office to understand AI ahead of others and use it to establish a model for cooperation and policy coordination between government ministries and agencies.