Strategic Report
Vol.3 No. 2 2026
Exploring the Korean Model for Sovereign AI Strategy
- Date
- 2026-04-08
- Authors
- Junghyun Yoon
- Keyword
- Emerging Security
-
abstract■ Artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved into a vital security issue permeating politics, economy, and society, prompting nations to scrutinize it from a sovereign perspective.- AI system components—such as training data control, API permissions, and model operations—are increasingly recognized as core national assets, necessitating stable acquisition and access.- Major non-U.S./China powers face unavoidable dependence due to underdeveloped domestic AI ecosystems, sparking “Sovereign AI” discourse encompassing supply chain diversification, sustainability, and security.■ South Korea exhibits high external dependence in its AI ecosystem but is recognized as one of the few AI middle powers capable of meaningful global supply chain roles, leveraging comparative advantages in semiconductors (core components) and manufacturing.- The government has set a “Global AI Top 3 (G3)” vision, aspiring to rule-making in AI manufacturing/services as well as safety, standards, and governance.- It announced a vision for internalizing capabilities across the full AI package: data, computational infrastructure, models, security systems, operating systems, talent, and norms.■ However, domestic Sovereign AI discourse has predominantly reflected traditional sovereignty concepts, with insufficient consideration of realistic constraints/opportunities as an AI middle power and Korea-specific ecosystem factors.- Review of U.S.-China-led AI order constraints and reinterpretation of Sovereign AI—tailored to Korea’s comprehensive context—are needed, alongside alternative approaches.■ This paper critically examines the Sovereign AI concept’s characteristics and implications for middle powers, proposing practical measures for a “Korean Sovereign AI National Strategy” to secure strategic autonomy in the global AI environment.
