Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said that all South Korean government ministries will adopt AI-powered work systems by the end of 2026 [1].
The move represents a sweeping attempt to modernize the nation's administrative infrastructure. By integrating artificial intelligence into the core of government operations, the administration aims to replace outdated bureaucratic practices with high-efficiency digital tools.
Speaking during her inauguration ceremony on Thursday, July 2, 2026 [2], at the government complex in Sejong, Han outlined a vision for a more agile state. She said the transition is designed to boost work efficiency and enable the development of policies that are more tailored to the needs of the public [2].
“We will have AI systems operating in every ministry by the end of this year to make government work faster and more responsive to citizens,” Han said [1].
The mandate requires every single ministry to have these systems operational before the close of 2026 [1]. This timeline suggests an aggressive rollout of technology across diverse sectors of governance, ranging from finance to social welfare, within a few months of the Prime Minister taking office on July 1, 2026 [1].
Officials intend for the AI systems to streamline internal workflows and reduce the time required to process citizen requests. Han said the modernization effort is necessary to ensure the government remains responsive in an increasingly digital global economy [2].
“All South Korean government ministries will adopt AI-powered work systems by the end of 2026.”
This initiative signals South Korea's ambition to lead in 'GovTech' integration. By mandating AI adoption across all ministries simultaneously, the government is attempting a systemic shift toward data-driven governance rather than a piecemeal adoption of technology. The success of this rollout will likely depend on the ability of the civil service to adapt to AI-driven workflows and the government's ability to maintain data privacy and security across all departments.
