South Korean Prime Minister Han Seong-suk said civil servants must lead the development and use of AI systems to improve government work efficiency.
This initiative signals a cultural shift within the South Korean public sector. By positioning artificial intelligence as a core element of national governance, the administration aims to align the speed of public sector development with that of the private sector.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony of the new cabinet in Seoul, Han said it is important for civil servants to first build systems that can increase work efficiency using AI [1]. The announcement took place on the first day of the month, coinciding with her inauguration [1].
The Prime Minister said this transition is necessary to support large-scale industrial restructuring projects. By automating routine tasks and optimizing administrative workflows, the government intends to create a more agile governance structure capable of reacting to rapid economic changes.
Han said the public sector should not merely adopt existing technology but should be the first to construct the frameworks necessary for AI-driven governance [1]. This approach is designed to ensure that the state can effectively manage the complexities of modern industrial shifts, while reducing bureaucratic friction.
The move comes as South Korea seeks to maintain its competitive edge in the global tech landscape. By integrating AI into the heart of the civil service, the government hopes to foster a culture of innovation that permeates every level of state administration [1].
“Civil servants must lead the development and use of AI systems to improve government work efficiency.”
This policy shift indicates that South Korea is moving beyond treating AI as a tool for private industry and is now viewing it as essential infrastructure for state operations. By mandating that civil servants lead AI adoption, the government is attempting to eliminate the 'digital gap' between the public and private sectors, which often slows the implementation of large-scale industrial reforms.
