President Lee Jae‑myung announced the San Francisco AI Declaration in the U.S. to establish South Korea as a core AI supply-chain nation [1].
The declaration marks a strategic effort to secure South Korea's position in the global technology market by guaranteeing that semiconductor production continues regardless of potential crises [1]. This commitment aims to attract further investment, and solidify partnerships with leading artificial intelligence developers [2].
During his visit to San Francisco, Lee said there is a need to expand national AI investment [2]. He specifically called for the interest and investment of Anthropic, signaling a desire for deeper cooperation with top-tier AI firms to bolster the country's technical infrastructure [2].
The president's diplomatic push extends beyond North America. As part of his broader international engagement, Lee visited three South American countries during the trip [1]. This suggests a multifaceted approach to diversifying trade and technological partnerships across different hemispheres.
By positioning South Korea as a reliable hub for the hardware that powers AI, the administration seeks to mitigate risks associated with global supply chain disruptions [1]. The focus on semiconductors is central to this strategy, as these components remain the essential building blocks for the next generation of computing [2].
Lee said that South Korea intends to greatly expand investments in the field of artificial intelligence [2]. This expansion is intended to transform the nation from a component manufacturer into a primary pillar of the global AI ecosystem [1].
“South Korea aims to become a core AI supply-chain nation.”
This declaration signals South Korea's intent to leverage its dominance in semiconductor manufacturing to gain geopolitical and economic leverage in the AI era. By guaranteeing supply chain stability, Lee is attempting to make South Korea an indispensable partner for U.S.-based AI labs, effectively trading hardware reliability for access to cutting-edge software and investment.
