07-05-2025
South Korea presidential hopeful Han vows to create AI ministry
Outlining his first campaign pledge since he launched his presidential bid Friday, Han's campaign said he aims to boost cutting-edge AI semiconductor production and create a 1 trillion won (US$716mil/RM3bil) fund to nurture local talent and court overseas scientists as Korea strives to catch up with global peers. — AFP
South Korea's former acting leader and current presidential hopeful Han Duck-soo vowed Wednesday to launch a new ministry to oversee the country's artificial intelligence strategies and science innovation if he wins the election.
Outlining his first campaign pledge since he launched his presidential bid Friday, Han's campaign said he aims to boost cutting-edge AI semiconductor production and create a 1 trillion won (US$716mil/RM3bil) fund to nurture local talent and court overseas scientists as Korea strives to catch up with global peers.
The "Ministry of AI Innovation Strategy' would integrate science and technology along with environment and AI policies, streamlining and relaxing regulations to help make AI a "central axis of national strategy,' his campaign said.
Han, who currently has no affiliation with any party, is vying to represent the conservative camp even after the ruling People Power Party nominated Kim Moon-soo as its candidate on Saturday. Han's priority on AI shows he intends to emphasise his experience as a veteran policymaker and former trade and finance minister in a bid to consolidate support ahead of the June 3 presidential election.
The main opposition Democratic Party's Lee Jae-myung holds a commanding lead in recent polls, with a 47% support rating. Han has 23%, while PPP candidate Kim has 13%, according to a survey conducted by JoongAng Ilbo newspaper and Gallup Korea on May 3–4.
Some doubts over Lee's candidacy were cleared Wednesday when South Korea's high court delayed its first hearing on his election law violation case until June 18, ensuring he'll be able to run in the election.
The snap election was triggered by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment and ouster over his bungled attempt to impose martial law in December. That debacle hangs over both conservative candidates, who were part of Yoon's cabinet. Kim won plaudits from conservatives for opposing Yoon's impeachment and refusing to apologise for the martial law decree, while Han apologised for the decree.
The election comes at a critical time for Asia's fourth-largest economy as it faces slowing exports resulting from Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs campaign.
Later Wednesday, Han and Kim are scheduled to meet for the first time since Han joined the race to discuss whether and how to unite their campaigns in a bid to rally conservative voters against Lee.
Both have expressed their willingness to join hands, although the PPP leadership on Tuesday accused Kim of dragging his heals on unifying the campaigns as it aims to complete the process before the Sunday deadline for official candidate registration.
Kim urged the party leaders to stop "interfering' with the discussions and let him take the lead as he seeks to generate his own momentum and jack up his support before ballot printing begins on May 25. – Bloomberg
