Choi Tae-won Calls for Changes in Regulations and AI Strategy in South Korea

Published: 19 Jan 2026

By AITestGuide Staff

Source: Asia Today; Translated by UPI

Choi Tae-won speaking at the 2026 Seoul New Year event, discussing AI strategy.

January 18, 2026 – Choi Tae-won, who is responsible for the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has asked for big changes to South Korea’s rules and a national AI strategy. He believes that the country’s economy, currently stuck at a low growth rate of about 1%, requires these steps.

In a recent interview, Choi described South Korea’s economy like a “bike with the brakes on.” He warned that without policies focused on growth, including a strong AI strategy, South Korea could see more businesses and talented workers leave the country.

Choi explained that South Korea’s potential growth rate has dropped to about 1.9%, with actual growth being even lower. He warned that if the economy doesn’t grow, young people may leave, and resources for public services will shrink. This could lead to more social problems and make it harder to maintain a stable democracy.

Key Points of Choi’s Speech:

Regulatory Reform: Choi criticized South Korea’s current regulatory system. He said businesses face too many restrictions as they grow, which makes it harder for them to expand. He called for a shift in the rules to help larger companies thrive while still protecting smaller ones.
Excessive Penalties: Choi also pointed out that harsh economic penalties can discourage investment. The risk of punishment sometimes outweighs the potential profits, which hurts business decisions.
AI Strategy: Choi stressed that South Korea’s future depends on having a successful ai strategy. He said that Artificial intelligence is a big change in society and should be a top priority for the country. He asked for world-class AI infrastructure, a special market for AI startups, and ways to speed up the process of getting AI products to market.
Economic Cooperation with Japan: Choi also proposed closer economic ties with Japan. He suggested that adopting a visa system similar to Europe’s Schengen zone could create about 3 trillion won (around $2.2 billion) in added value and boost tourism and business cooperation.

Choi Tae-won Calls for Changes in Regulations and AI Strategy in South Korea

Key Points of Choi’s Speech:

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