Professor Koh Sam-seok of Dongguk University's Advanced Convergence College stated that the promotion of K-content and the nurturing of the artificial intelligence (AI) industry should be pursued as a single national strategy rather than two separate policies.

Speaking in a keynote address at 'ICNX 2026', an enter-tech industry exchange event hosted by Incheon Metropolitan City and the Incheon Technopark (ITP) today (Nov. 4), Professor Koh remarked, "It is difficult to imagine the future of content without AI, or the global competitiveness of the AI industry without content."

Serving as a member of the social subcommittee of the Presidential Committee on the National AI Strategy and as an advisor to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Professor Koh delivered a lecture under the theme "Why K-Content and AI Must Be a Single National Strategy."

Professor Koh first explained, "AI enhances the productivity and scalability of content, while content strengthens the commercial value and cultural influence of AI," adding that the "coevolution" of the two industries is creating new intellectual property (IP), business models, and global markets.

In particular, Professor Koh analyzed that the United States is focusing on combining AI technology with content IP, China on the large-scale industrialization of AI content, and the United Kingdom on fostering the AI-based creative technology industry.

In response, he emphasized that South Korea must build a differentiated enter-tech industry ecosystem that combines entertainment and technology, leveraging the originality of K-culture and its global fandom.

Regarding the strategy to realize a culture powerhouse based on AI under the government's upcoming 'Republic of Korea AI Action Plan', he suggested that the focus of policy should evolve beyond the AI transition of existing content production and distribution toward fostering new industries, building an ecosystem, and global expansion.

Professor Koh also introduced the coevolution strategy presented in his book "Next Hallyu," published last year.

This is based on the rationale that beyond merely exporting content, an open global ecosystem is needed where overseas companies and creators jointly plan, produce, and share outcomes.

"What matters now is not why we should combine K-content and AI, but what and how we should combine them," Professor Koh stressed. "Government policy innovation and private-sector enter-tech innovation must take place together."

(Photo provided by Professor Koh Sam-seok, Yonhap News)