The South Korean government shared the country’s AI transition strategy at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting.

The Ministry of Science and ICT said Second Vice Minister Ryu Je-myung (류제명) attended the 2026 APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting held in Chengdu, China, on Wednesday local time.

Minister-level representatives in digital and AI from APEC member economies attended the meeting and discussed measures including economic growth through AI, expanding digital connectivity, digital inclusion and creating a safe and trustworthy digital environment. Participants adopted a ministerial declaration that includes cooperation measures to promote digital transformation and inclusive growth through digital and AI technologies.

Ryu stressed in the “Digital and AI Technology and Economic Growth” session that AI is leading to a “production revolution” that fundamentally changes production methods across industries. He outlined Korea’s policy direction in which AI, centred on semiconductors, data centres and physical AI, combines with the real world in areas such as manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, mobility and care to raise productivity and quality of life.

He also shared measures for demonstration projects and the spread of physical AI that combines field data with AI and core technologies, as well as ways to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem. The ministry plans to step up efforts to expand the “APEC AI Initiative,” which South Korea led in adopting as APEC chair in 2025. A plan to build a “Global AI Hub” involving international organisations, development banks and the private sector was also introduced. The plan calls for expanding international cooperation to support partner countries in strengthening AI capabilities and digital transformation and to ensure AI becomes the basis for inclusive growth.

In the “Universal and Meaningful Digital Connectivity” session, Ryu introduced Korea’s next-generation digital infrastructure strategies, the “AI superhighway” and “Hyper AI Network.” He said Korea is building a digital foundation for the AI era by expanding advanced graphics processing units (GPUs), establishing a national data integration platform and advancing next-generation networks.

Ryu said, “Korea will actively share its experience in building an AI innovation ecosystem with the international community and continue cooperation for the inclusive spread of AI.”