Ryu Je-myeong (류제명), second vice minister at the Ministry of Science and ICT, met Anne Kari Hansen Ovind, Norway's ambassador to South Korea, in Seoul on July 30 to discuss the national AI strategy, science and technology research and development (R&D) investment policy and ways for the two countries to cooperate.

Ovind noted Korea's AI capabilities and high level of R&D investment. She also expressed interest in the rapid development of AI technology and the status of building an independent ecosystem, as well as government policies to promote private-sector R&D investment.

Ryu introduced Korea's key AI policy directions and an independent AI full-stack ecosystem being built on cooperation between the government and companies. He also shared government policies aimed at securing sovereignty in global AI competition based on the "Republic of Korea's three mega-projects" being pursued by bringing together national capabilities.

The two sides agreed on the need to create a safe and trustworthy environment for using AI and decided to seek ways to coordinate policies and cooperate at a global level in the future. They also shared the roles of the two governments and policy support tools to invigorate private-sector R&D investment.

Ryu said, "The two countries are partners that share a common aim of building trustworthy AI governance and having a high AI adoption rate in the public sector." He added, "I hope this dialogue will lead to concrete outcomes of cooperation so that the two countries can become partners leading a safe and innovative transition in the global AI era."