Issue Korea's AI sovereignty strategy amid alliance bargaining and a contest over AI norms

Summary

The report expects diplomatic competition to lead AI norms to intensify as discussions on AI interoperability and standards between countries grow. Under a strengthening US-led technology alliance and deepening techno-protectionism, new forms of negotiation over access to AI technology are expected to become frequent even among allies. Korea's policy direction is to secure a sovereign foundation model at a global top-ten level and to protect data sovereignty through AI research colleagues that handle sensitive data. It also seeks to strengthen full-cycle AI capabilities and export full-stack AI technology, securing sovereignty and industrial competitiveness together. Beyond AI, the plan considers wider investment in moonshot projects such as clean energy and next-generation chips and in strategic technologies such as biotechnology and quantum.