Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Baek Kyung-hoon (배경훈) stressed cooperation among regional governments, the central government and the financial sector to foster the physical AI industry.

Baek attended the Physical AI Regional Hub Development Forum held on Sept. 22 at the headquarters of the Korea Development Bank in Seoul. The forum, hosted by the Korea Development Bank, was attended by Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Eok-won (이억원), heads of local governments in North Jeolla, South Gyeongsang and North Gyeongsang provinces, officials from policy finance institutions and regional banks, and representatives of physical AI companies.

Ahead of the event, Baek reviewed physical AI technologies developed by South Korean companies, including a quadruped robot, a robot hand, an autonomous flight drone and a lunar surface exploration robot. The ministry is pursuing development of core physical AI technologies and field demonstrations in North Jeolla and South Gyeongsang through a national research and development project worth a total of 1.4 trillion won from this year through 2030.

Baek said physical AI must be advanced in industrial settings, not just developed in labs, to become a new growth engine. He said it is important to create a virtuous cycle that leads to corporate commercialisation, investment and growth through financial backing.