South Korea’s Lee Puts AI Center Stage in First Budget Speech

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung placed artificial intelligence at the heart of his administration’s economic vision, pledging to transform the country’s industries, public services and defense through aggressive AI investment and policy support.

Delivering his first annual budget address to parliament since taking office in June, Lee described the 2026 budget plan as “the first national budget for the AI era,” signaling a sweeping policy shift after months of political turbulence triggered by his predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed attempt to impose martial law.