President Lee Yongpil of KEIT: "Driving Manufacturing Innovation with M.AX... Leading Industrial Technology Policy" (Comprehensive)

Policy Expert with Broad Experience in Industry and Technology Policy

"Aim to Lead KEIT Ahead of Change"

Strengthening AI, Strategic Technologies, and Supply Chains

"Achievements Will Be Shared, Responsibility Lies with the President"

Lee Yongpil, the new President of the Korea Planning & Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT), unveiled his vision to drive innovation in industrial technology research and development (R&D) by prioritizing the manufacturing AI transformation (M.AX), with the goal of transforming KEIT into a leading expert institution that also shapes industrial technology policy.

Yongpil Lee, President of the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, is delivering his inauguration speech at the inauguration ceremony held on August 11 at the Daegu headquarters. Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology

During his inauguration speech on August 11, President Lee stated, "Amid intensifying global competition for technological supremacy and a rapidly changing external environment, it is more important than ever that manufacturing companies embrace AI transformation and technological innovation to ensure the continued growth of our industry." He added, "KEIT will devote all its capabilities to facilitating the adoption of AI across the industrial sector and to spearheading innovation in industrial R&D, so as to make a tangible contribution to enhancing national industrial competitiveness."

President Lee outlined four main priorities. First, KEIT will support the government's M.AX initiative by assisting the development of AI models and manufacturing data-based technologies for each industry, as well as reinforcing the technological gap in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, displays, and biotechnology. He also pledged to expand support for challenging R&D, including future core technologies, as a means to discover new drivers for industrial growth. In the supply chain sector, KEIT aims to preemptively identify key materials, components, equipment, and strategic technologies to strengthen the competitiveness of Korea’s industrial ecosystem. In addition, KEIT will work to secure global market leadership for advanced industries where Korea excels, such as advanced mobility, shipbuilding, and defense. To ensure that R&D achievements are not neglected after project completion, KEIT also plans to establish a virtuous cycle connecting outstanding technologies to investment and financial support.

KEIT will also bolster its policy capabilities. As part of this, the institution will proactively propose future industries and strategic technologies, analyze data and outcomes accumulated in the R&D process to inform policy, and position itself as an organization that leads the way for both the government and the industry. President Lee announced plans to actively use agentic AI and data in planning, evaluation, and performance management. He also delivered a clear message regarding organizational culture and leadership, stating his commitment to establishing a "one-team KEIT" where employees are encouraged to freely express their opinions regardless of rank or seniority, and where talent and effort are fairly recognized. He further pledged to ensure KEIT becomes an institution trusted by researchers and companies through fair and transparent evaluations.

President Lee specifically emphasized, "As President, I will personally take the lead. I will listen more and foster communication," adding, "When it comes to decisions in service of the nation and industry, I will not hesitate." He continued, "Achievements are created together with all of you, and I will bear full responsibility as President." He further stressed, "Change is no longer a choice but a matter of survival. As Korea’s industry aims for the next leap forward, I will dedicate all my energy to ensuring KEIT is recognized as an institution that shapes the future of industry and leads national innovation in industrial technology."

President Lee entered public service by passing the 41st Civil Service Examination. He has previously served as Director-General for Materials Convergence Industry Policy, Director-General for Advanced Industry Policy, Policy Coordination Director-General, and Spokesperson at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and he is recognized for his extensive experience and expertise in overall industry and technology policy.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.