The Era of "Physical AI" Is Coming... Foreign Ministry Discusses Responses to Competition in Technology and Supply Chains

With the era of so-called "physical AI," which refers to the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, approaching, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs discussed response measures with private-sector experts.

Participants speak at a public-private roundtable titled “Competition in Physical AI Technology and Korea’s Economic Security Response,” hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Economic Security Diplomacy Center at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 10th. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Center for Economic Security and Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a public-private joint meeting on "Competition in Physical AI Technology and Korea's Economic Security Response" at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on November 10. Government officials and experts from private companies and academia who attended the meeting said intensifying competition in advanced technologies could affect supply chain risks and efforts to expand into overseas markets. They agreed on the need to strengthen Korea's own competitiveness and prepare thoroughly for regulatory developments in major countries.

At the first session, which focused on robotics, Lee Gyeongjun, a director at the Korea AI and Robot Industry Association, spoke on "U.S. and Chinese Policies to Foster the Robotics Industry," while Deloitte accountant Sim Jongseon outlined "U.S. Regulations, Including Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Measures, and Response Trends in Korean Industry." At the second session, which focused on automobiles, Professor Park Jeonggyu of KAIST presented "Developments in Major Countries' Efforts to Gain an Edge in Smart-Car Technology, Data, and Platforms" and said related institutional preparations were needed.

Professor Baek Wooyeol of Yonsei University said, "AI technology and supply chains have become key components of security today," adding, "The public and private sectors need to work as one team to develop economic security and diplomacy strategies." Other attendees, including Kim Byeongsu, CEO of ROBOTIS; Lee Jun, a center director at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade; and Professor Cho Cheol of Korea University, emphasized the importance of promptly tracking developments in major countries, formulating policies that take data security issues into account, and cooperating on supply chains with like-minded countries. They stressed in particular that Korea, where the adoption rate of manufacturing robots is high, should actively prepare for trade-restrictive measures by major countries and develop strategies to enter niche markets.

Lee Jiyoon, Deputy Director-General for Bilateral Economic Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and head of the Center for Economic Security and Diplomacy, said, "The Center will also identify and share developments in major countries at an early stage so that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can respond swiftly to competition in physical AI technology and supply chains," adding, "We will continue to listen to the views of industry and academia and work to develop a comprehensive economic security and diplomacy strategy."

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