Policy Support Talks for K-AI Startups' Global Leap

At a policy seminar hosted by the Korea Startup Forum, with participation from government, industry, and academia, strategies for K-startups to make a global leap in the AI era were intensively discussed. The event, held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the theme "Evolution of the App Ecosystem Led by AI," was attended by over 50 stakeholders, who engaged in in-depth discussions on domestic startups' utilization of AI technology and strengthening their competitiveness for overseas market entry. Lawmakers Kim Jong-min and Lee Seong-kwon, who co-hosted the event, emphasized the importance of the app industry and pledged unwavering policy support for K-startups to grow into global AI powerhouses. The leadership of the Korea Startup Forum and the App Ecosystem Forum stressed the need for close cooperation between industry and government to create an ecosystem where startups can freely innovate and grow on the global stage. The Head of Google Play Partnerships Korea promised to strengthen mentoring, technology, and marketing support to help K-startups surpass global standards. Professor Cho Dae-gon of Yonsei University analyzed six types of AI integration into mobile apps, proposing the importance of regulatory transitions that do not hinder innovation, removal of data utilization barriers, and balanced support policies. Park Jun-ho, CEO of Peterpeter, suggested specific policy support, such as building data highways, establishing international certification systems, and providing cloud cost support for AI development, along with expanding public-private cooperative scale-up models. In the general discussion, experts emphasized the necessity of building trust and practical support systems. Shin Won-yong, co-founder of Kairos Lab, highlighted securing social trust beyond technical performance, while Professor Hong Dae-sik of Sogang University stressed the need for AI-specific regulatory frameworks, development tools, and data support. Jin Yun-jung, Managing Director at SBVA, presented securing global references, strengthening public-private signaling, and connecting global talent networks as strategies for K-startups' global growth. Lee Hee-jung, CEO of Beaglez, called for field-oriented support systems, including local information provision and partner network connections, as well as data regulation relaxation and protection of AI-generated works. Government officials from the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development, and other relevant ministries introduced various support programs, such as overseas demonstration of AI semiconductors and promotion of global partnerships, and stated their commitment to systematic responses for K-startups' AI-driven global growth. The Korea Startup Forum announced that it will continue its policy proposals and support activities to ensure that the policy measures discussed at this seminar, combined with feedback from the field, lead to concrete implementation plans.