President Lee Jae Myung appointed Rebuilding Korea Party lawmaker Lee Hai-min as Senior Secretary for AI and Future Planning on Aug. 30 [1].
The appointment places a key legislative architect of the nation's artificial intelligence framework directly into the executive branch. This move signals a shift toward integrating legislative experience with administrative execution to accelerate the deployment of AI technologies.
Lee Hai-min will operate out of Cheong Wa Dae, the Blue House in Seoul [2]. The role was created to fill the vacancy left by former secretary Ha Jung-woo [3].
Officials said the selection was based on Lee's history of shaping national AI policy [3]. Specifically, Lee was instrumental in drafting the AI Basic Act, a foundational piece of legislation designed to govern the development and ethical use of AI within South Korea [3].
By bringing a lawmaker from the Rebuilding Korea Party into the Blue House, the administration aims to streamline the process between drafting laws and implementing them [2]. The Senior Secretary for AI and Future Planning is tasked with overseeing the strategic direction of emerging technologies to ensure South Korea remains competitive in the global AI race.
This transition occurs as the government seeks to solidify its digital infrastructure and regulatory environment [2]. The appointment on Aug. 30 [1] marks a critical step in the administration's broader cabinet reshuffle intended to prioritize future-tech planning.
“Lee Hai-min was instrumental in drafting the AI Basic Act.”
The move to appoint a lawmaker who helped write the AI Basic Act to a senior executive role suggests that the South Korean government is moving from the phase of theoretical policy-making to active implementation. By placing Lee Hai-min at the Blue House, the administration reduces the friction between the National Assembly and the executive branch, potentially speeding up the rollout of AI regulations and state-funded technology initiatives.
