Lee urges faster push on AI infrastructure, energy transition

(Kim Ho-young)

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Thursday called for accelerating policies on artificial intelligence infrastructure and a broad energy transition, stressing that tangible progress in both areas is essential to sustaining economic growth.

Speaking at his first senior secretaries and advisers meeting at Yeomin 1 Building of Cheong Wa Dae, Lee said the global race for an AI-driven transformation has evolved into a factor determining national destiny, not merely corporate competitiveness. He emphasized that sustainable, inclusive growth hinges on securing future-oriented advanced industrial capabilities.

Lee urged faster action in securing AI talent, expanding infrastructure and strengthening global cooperation, underscoring his vision to use AI as a foundation for a qualitative transformation across all sectors of society. The meeting addressed issues including strategies for building an AI innovation ecosystem, Korea’s economic growth strategy, the creation of a basic AI-driven society, and AI security and global leadership. He also highlighted the need for an energy transition, noting that AI data centers require massive amounts of electricity.

“How we prepare future energy sources and respond to the energy transition could determine not only economic growth but the nation’s fate,” Lee said, calling for thorough preparation. His remarks have drawn attention to the possibility that the government may increase the share of nuclear power in its energy mix.

Earlier, Kim Sung-hwan, minister of climate, energy and environment, said it was contradictory for South Korea to export nuclear power plants while refraining from building them domestically during the Moon Jae-in administration, a stance widely interpreted as signaling a policy shift under the Lee administration.

Commenting on AI infrastructure discussions, presidential spokesperson Kim Nam-joon said the government had not reviewed relocating semiconductor companies to regional areas, adding that such decisions should be left to businesses.

Lee and his senior aides are set to meet business leaders to gather views on industrial policy. On Friday, Lee will host a public briefing on economic growth strategies and invite corporate leaders, including representatives from AI unicorn Rebellions, swarm AI drone control specialist Pablo Air, and game developer Shift Up. Executives from traditional companies such as LS Cable & System, Samyang Foods, and CJ Olive Young, as well as small business owners, will also attend.

At the meeting, Lee plans to lead discussions on innovation strategies to revive potential growth and policies aimed at balanced development. Separately, Senior Presidential Scretary for Policy Kim Yong-beom will hold a closed-door meeting at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry with executives from major conglomerates, including Samsung, SK, Hyundai Motor, LG, Lotte, POSCO, Hanwha, HD Hyundai, GS and Hanjin, to review investment and employment plans. Youth employment and regional investment expansion are expected to be key agenda items.

Lee earlier declared in his New Year’s address that this year would mark the starting point of a “great leap forward” for Korea. Reiterating that message at Thursday’s meeting, he said the seeds of change that emerged in the second half of last year must translate into concrete results felt in people’s daily lives this year.