President Lee: "Capitalize on Semiconductor Boom and Prepare for the Post-AI Era"

President Lee Jae-myung said on the 12th, "We must seize the golden opportunity created by the semiconductor industry and proactively prepare for the post-artificial intelligence (AI) era."

Presiding over the "7 SEED Future Growth Engines Briefing" at the Blue House, President Lee stated, "The seven advanced technologies and 7 SEED projects discussed today will serve as our economy's next-generation growth engines and the nation's core strategic assets."

The 7 SEED fields, which the government is focusing on nurturing for future growth drivers, include small modular reactors (SMRs), nuclear fusion, renewable energy, quantum technology, aerospace, advanced biotechnology, and advanced materials and components.

President Lee diagnosed, "A defining characteristic of recently highlighted advanced technologies is that their technology replacement cycles are extremely rapid, and both individuals and nations will be marginalized if they miss these changes. Just as the semiconductor industry, plagued by crisis theories until recently, entered a structural super-boom and the AI revolution fundamentally transformed industries and everyday life, we are living in a great transition era where it is extremely difficult to predict what new advanced technologies will emerge a few years from now or how the industrial landscape will drastically shift."

He emphasized, "Whether we become a leader enjoying boundless opportunities or a follower perpetually exposed to the risk of falling behind depends entirely on our choices. I believe the advanced technology seeds we plant today will grow into giant trees in the future and develop into new mega-projects."

Addressing attendees including researchers and entrepreneurs, President Lee urged, "With the mindset that the entire world is watching South Korea's new challenge, please give your utmost effort for the nation's future. Do your absolute best so that South Korea can leap forward beyond a semiconductor powerhouse into an advanced science and technology powerhouse and a talent powerhouse."

He added, "The government will firmly back innovative companies and innovative scientists and engineers so they can freely pioneer markets and make bold challenges. If you share your frank opinions, we will faithfully reflect them in government policies."

(Photo courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae Press Pool, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.