South Korea Blocks DeepSeek on Government Devices and Launches National AI Committee
South Korea has officially blocked access to the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek’s services on government devices, citing significant security concerns. This decision aligns Seoul with a growing number of nations restricting the use of foreign AI technologies within state infrastructure. Concurrently, the South Korean government announced the establishment of a new 'national AI committee,' aiming to position the country among the top three global leaders in artificial intelligence. To support this ambitious technological roadmap, the Finance Ministry revealed plans to invest at least KRW 34 trillion ($23 billion) into cutting-edge sectors, specifically batteries and biotechnology. This funding will be distributed through a new fund under the state-run Korea Development Bank, offering low-interest loans and equity investments to high-tech industries. The announcements follow a recent visit by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to Seoul, where he engaged with major local conglomerates including Samsung Electronics, SK Group, and Kakao. The Finance Ministry intends to discuss necessary legal amendments for these initiatives in parliament this March, marking a strategic shift towards bolstering domestic tech sovereignty while mitigating external digital risks.
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South Korea Blocks DeepSeek on Government Devices and Launches National AI Committee
South Korea has officially blocked access to the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek’s services on government devices, citing significant security concerns. This decision aligns Seoul with a growing number of nations restricting the use of foreign AI technologies within state infrastructure. Concurrently, the South Korean government announced the establishment of a new 'national AI committee,' aiming to position the country among the top three global leaders in artificial intelligence. To support this ambitious technological roadmap, the Finance Ministry revealed plans to invest at least KRW 34 trillion ($23 billion) into cutting-edge sectors, specifically batteries and biotechnology. This funding will be distributed through a new fund under the state-run Korea Development Bank, offering low-interest loans and equity investments to high-tech industries. The announcements follow a recent visit by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to Seoul, where he engaged with major local conglomerates including Samsung Electronics, SK Group, and Kakao. The Finance Ministry intends to discuss necessary legal amendments for these initiatives in parliament this March, marking a strategic shift towards bolstering domestic tech sovereignty while mitigating external digital risks.
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