Baek Kyung-hoon, the Vice Minister and Minister of Science and ICT, highlighted the importance of securing independent artificial intelligence (AI) as a national strategic asset in response to the evolving situation in the Middle East. During a meeting held on the 18th in Jongno-gu, Seoul, he spoke to representatives from AI-related companies, acknowledging their achievements in developing autonomous AI models that have garnered global attention. He stressed that the need for independent control and balance has become even more pressing given the recent circumstances in the Middle East.

Recent developments have underscored the increasing utilization of AI in wartime scenarios, where the U.S. has leveraged sophisticated technologies to analyze confidential data regarding Iran's military actions. These intelligence-gathering processes involve using tools based on Anthropic's AI platform, Claude, to set real-time targeting priorities. The involvement of AI in such strategic operations illustrates its potential impact on national security and emphasizes the urgency for countries like South Korea to establish their own robust AI frameworks.

The meeting aimed to discuss strategies for promoting independent AI and enhancing national security through its applications. Notable participants included representatives from four companies involved in the independent AI foundation model project, alongside major domestic AI firms such as Naver, Kakao, and NC AI. Minister Baek expressed his hope that through bold investments and challenges, South Korean enterprises could emerge as strong competitors on the global stage in the era of artificial intelligence.