Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung emphasized on Thursday that South Korea could rise as a global leader in the artificial intelligence (AI) era by effectively leveraging its inherent strengths. The president shared these insights during briefings from the science ministry and various government agencies, which focused on their ongoing policy initiatives.

According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee remarked that AI is instigating a civilization-level transformation comparable to historic breakthroughs like the discovery of fire or the invention of steam locomotives and electricity. He expressed confidence that by optimizing its strengths and addressing its weaknesses, South Korea could emerge as a leading player in this transformative era. Lee described the AI era as a "decisive opportunity" for the nation, cautioning that neglecting this opportunity could lead to a crisis, and urged government ministries to prepare thoroughly.

The backdrop of these remarks is South Korea's strategic ambition to position itself as a dominant force in AI globally. Last month, the Lee administration unveiled three major projects with significant investments exceeding 4,000 trillion won (approximately US$2.68 trillion). These projects focus on developing a semiconductor production cluster, physical AI, and AI data centers.

President Lee also clarified that the government's plans to tighten personal information protection rules are not targeting any specific company. This statement follows the country's privacy watchdog's decision to intensify penalties for corporate breaches of personal information. Lee emphasized that the government's stance is based on law and policy rather than targeting individual companies.

While not providing further details, the president's comments come amidst ongoing concerns from Washington regarding Seoul's investigation into a substantial data breach involving U.S.-listed Coupang.