South Korea seeks AI sovereignty through high-value design and operational autonomy

Experts and scholars are calling for South Korea to evolve its AI strategy from being a mere supplier of hardware to a participant in high-value AI design and operation. A report by the Choi Jong-hyun Academy and Seoul National University emphasizes that while Korea holds a competitive edge in memory semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, it must avoid becoming a simple ‘raw material supplier’ for the global AI industry.

The report introduces the concept of ‘Sovereign AI 2.0,’ which shifts the focus from merely possessing independent AI models to securing ‘access sovereignty’ and ‘operational sovereignty.’ This approach aims to ensure that essential AI services remain stable and replaceable even if specific models or cloud services are interrupted by external geopolitical or corporate decisions.

In a regional context, discussions regarding Jeju Island suggest that local AI strategies should focus on practical tool utilization rather than building massive foundation models. By integrating existing AI engines with local data—such as climate, tourism, and logistics—the region can solve specific local problems and maintain autonomy in a landscape dominated by global tech giants.