Lee Jae Myung to chair briefing on 7 key technologies to drive South Korea's future growth

President Lee Jae Myung is moving to secure future growth engines that will drive South Korea's economy in the era following the AI transformation.

Lee will preside over the "Future Growth Engine 7 SEED Briefing" at Cheong Wa Dae on Wednesday, under the slogan "A Future Opened by Advanced Technology."

The event was organized to support the AI transformation and chart a path toward a major leap forward for the country.

The seven SEEDs are small modular reactors, nuclear fusion, renewable energy, quantum technology, space and aviation, advanced biotech, and advanced materials and components supply chains — seven cutting-edge fields regarded as seeds of innovation and core assets for the future economy and national security.

The initiative reflects a judgment that relying solely on current mainstay industries cannot guarantee sustainable growth in a rapidly shifting technological environment, and that seeds for future industries must be planted now.

At a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Lee said small modular reactors, renewable energy, quantum computers, aerospace and advanced biotech are "core fields that will determine dominance in global future industries." He added that "strategic investment in these areas must proceed as meticulously and intensively as the three mega-projects."

He went on to say that "nurturing ultra-gap advanced industries is the seed for a great economic leap," and pledged to "build an irreplaceable South Korea through balanced national development and bold cultivation of ultra-gap advanced industries."

In line with that vision, Wednesday's briefing will bring together science and technology experts and business leaders to explore strategies for securing advanced technologies — including SMRs, quantum technology and space and aviation — and fostering related industries.

Participants will also discuss ways to strengthen the foundations of science and technology through nurturing talent in science and engineering fields and reforming the research ecosystem.

About 60 experts in advanced technology fields are expected to attend, including researchers from universities, research institutes and companies, as well as science and engineering students, entrepreneurs and venture capital representatives.

Before the briefing, Lee is scheduled to view models of an SMR-powered vessel, a quantum computer and a lunar orbiter.

At the briefing, Kim Seung-wan, a professor at Korea Energy University of Technology, will present on "Energy Technology and Supply Chains for the AI Transformation," and Jang Jin-a, a professor at Pohang University of Science and Technology, will speak on "Advanced Technologies Pioneering a Great Leap Forward."

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Gyeong-hun will outline policy under the theme "Advanced Technology as the Engine of Future Pioneering," while Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan will address "Fostering an Advanced Supply Chain Ecosystem as the Foundation for Pioneering the Future."

Participants will then hold an open discussion on the theme "Advanced Technology That Opens the Future and the Role of Government."