Seoul: South Korea's science ministry announced plans to invest nearly 3 trillion won (US$2.2 billion) in research and development (R and D) of information and communications technologies (ICT) next year. This investment is part of an ongoing effort to secure leadership in the global artificial intelligence (AI) race.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the proposed amount represents a 23.6 percent increase compared to 2026, as detailed by the Ministry of Science and ICT. This amount will be included in the ministry's 2027 R and D budget proposal, which totals 39.5 trillion won. The announcement followed an inaugural budget planning workshop held in central Seoul, which included officials from research labs, the private sector, and academia. The ministry decided to focus investments in five key areas: the government's "three mega projects," next-generation AI technologies, AI transformation, securing future technologies, and talent development.
The ministry has earmarked 662.1 billion won for the government's "tripolar mega projects," which include R and D in physical AI technologies, AI semiconductors, and data centers. The largest portion of the budget, 384.9 billion won, is allocated to securing "full-stack" technology in physical AI, covering everything from world foundation models to hardware components like AI accelerators.
A total of 431.1 billion won will be directed towards securing sovereign AI technologies, with 169.1 billion won specifically allocated for cybersecurity-related research. In the area of future technologies, the ministry plans to invest 338.9 billion won, focusing on quantum technology and next-generation networks. This investment aims to establish what the ministry describes as an "AI expressway" connecting AI computing with networks.
For talent development, the ministry intends to invest 354.4 billion won. This investment will expand local hubs for joint research with global scholars and push forward with developing key technological standards related to AI, as stated by the ministry.