South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT said on Sunday that locally developed AI models are expanding into areas including support for criminal justice investigations, steel manufacturing, K-pop idol production and shipbuilding and marine industries.

LG AI Research and LG CNS are using their AI foundation model EXAONE to advance the National Police Agency's AI investigation support system, KCIS-AI. They have completed functions such as analysing and organising case issues, searching laws and precedents, and drafting warrant applications. They are also strengthening AI-based investigation support functions such as analysing unstructured investigation materials and detecting new types of crime.

Park Sung-ho (박성호), head of LG CNS' Public AX Innovation Team, said investigators must review vast amounts of material and prepare various documents to solve cases. He said the second phase of the 2026 project will further advance field-focused functions such as recommending questions for statements and analysing investigation materials.

SKT signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korean steelmaker KG Steel for on-site validation of a manufacturing-focused AI agent based on its proprietary AI model. The company explained it was the first case in which SKT's proprietary AI model, A.X K1, was applied at a manufacturing site. SKT is developing a process-specific AI agent by securing on-site data such as KG Steel's past reports analysing process errors and accidents, and equipment manuals. It plans to conduct a proof of concept in the second half of the year on the cold rolling line at KG Steel's Dangjin plant.

Kim Jong-beom (김종범), an AI engineer at SKT's AI Convergence unit, said the manufacturing-focused AI agent is the first case of applying SKT's proprietary AI model in manufacturing and an important starting point for a full-scale AI transition at production sites. He said SKT plans to advance performance based on field data and also review commercialisation.

NC AI will begin producing AI idols by introducing media AI technology to the K-Content AI Innovation Leading Project led by the Korea Creative Content Agency. It envisions completing an integrated pipeline that efficiently generates high-quality avatars, music video assets and music and can be used immediately across multiple platforms from the planning stage. The company said it will use AI to break through the limits of existing production methods constrained by time and space amid a surge in global fandom and diversified demand.

Naver Cloud will work with HD Hyundai to advance AI services in shipbuilding and marine industries. It will apply Naver Cloud's proprietary AI model to HD Hyundai's database of more than 200 million shipbuilding and marine-related data items. Employees will be able to use AI-based systems to search and summarise documents related to ship design and construction. It will also provide an AI chatbot service for customer response for ship and engine after-sales service at HD Hyundai Marine Solution.