This initiative is the current Administrations grand S&T strategy or policy direction to respond to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Name in original language
혁신성장을 위한 사람 중심의 제4차산업혁명 대응 계획
Initiative overview
The I-KOREA 4.0 initiative is the Republic of Korea's comprehensive national strategy to respond to the opportunities and challenges posed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It was launched in 2017 to promote innovative growth by fostering emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, autonomous vehicles, and biotechnology. The initiative addresses the urgent need to adapt the national economy and society to the rapid transformation driven by digitalization and technological convergence, while also aiming to secure Korea's global competitiveness in future industries.The primary objective of I-KOREA 4.0 is to create an innovation-driven ecosystem by enhancing R&D capabilities, supporting public-private collaboration, and reforming regulatory frameworks to be more agile and responsive. It also emphasizes inclusive growth by ensuring that the benefits of innovation are distributed broadly across regions, sectors, and demographics. The strategy prioritizes human capital development through education system reforms and digital skills training, with a focus on preparing the workforce for new technological environments.Implementation of the initiative is coordinated by multiple government ministries and agencies, with strong involvement from academic institutions, industry leaders, and civil society. Institutional mechanisms include the Presidential Committee on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (PCFIR), which serves as the central policy coordination body. The initiative is embedded in national development plans and budget allocations and is updated periodically based on stakeholder input and technological trends. Future plans include expanding smart infrastructure, promoting AI-powered public services, and supporting digital innovation among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Since its launch, I-KOREA 4.0 has evolved through various phases, including the creation of sector-specific roadmaps (e.g., AI strategy, data economy roadmap, digital healthcare plan) and the launch of flagship programs such as the AI Semiconductor Development Project and the National Strategy for Autonomous Vehicles. The initiative has also responded dynamically to global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic by accelerating the digital transformation of government and public health services. Looking forward, the government aims to institutionalize the initiative through continued cross-sectoral partnerships, legal reforms, and investment in next-generation digital infrastructure.
Who has primary responsibility for developing the national AI strategy?
Ministry
Name of responsible organisation (in English)
Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT); Presidential Committee on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (PCFIR)
Who has primary responsibility to implementing the national strategy?
Ministry
Name of responsible organisation for strategy implementation (in English)
Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT); Presidential Committee on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (PCFIR)
Budget information available?
Available
Estimated budget expenditure range per year in Euros (EUR)
€1,000,000,000.00
To what extent do you have mechanisms or other efforts to involve stakeholders in strategy design, implementation and monitoring?
Expert consultation(s) and other engagement.,
Stakeholder consultation(s) and other engagement.,
Public consultation(s) and other engagement.
Video URL
Has this initiative been evaluated?
Yes
Are evaluation results public?
No
