South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT held hands-on vibe coding training for the ministry's bureau directors, using domestic AI models.

The ministry said on Nov. 9 the training was designed to help officials learn AI technology to improve work efficiency and the quality of public services.

Vibe coding is a development method in which an AI builds a program when a user describes the desired function in natural language instead of writing code. It allows participation in development without specialised programming knowledge.

The training reviewed real-world vibe coding use cases and included practice completing programs by repeatedly assigning tasks to AI and then modifying the output. Participants used an in-house AI foundation model to experience the performance of domestic AI technology and check the potential for applying it to administrative work. The programme also included developing and using AI agents.

The ministry has introduced AI technology into administrative work, including having employees develop and use AI-based work support tools such as "AI Sapiens". It plans to hold additional training this month for staff at section chief level and below. It will provide three rounds of vibe coding practice to strengthen AI capabilities from managers to working-level staff.

Kang Sang-wook (강상욱), head of the ministry's Planning and Coordination Office, said vibe coding was an important tool that helps public officials understand AI more deeply and use it actively for administrative innovation. He said the ministry would continue to pursue innovation in working methods suited to the AI era by raising AI capabilities from managers to working-level staff.