On October 23, 2025, OpenAI unveiled an economic strategy tailored for South Korea, outlining how the nation can harness artificial intelligence to fuel growth and innovation. The document, known as the Economic Blueprint for Korea, emphasizes leveraging the country’s existing advantages—including advanced semiconductor production, robust digital networks, a highly skilled workforce, and strong governmental backing—to emerge as a leading force in the global AI landscape.
This initiative follows OpenAI’s first country-specific collaboration in the Asia-Pacific region, announced on October 1. Under the Stargate project, Samsung and SK are expanding their production of high-performance memory essential for cutting-edge AI systems. Simultaneously, OpenAI, in coordination with South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and private partners, is exploring the development of next-generation AI data centers within the country. Additional efforts, such as the opening of a local office and a strategic academic alliance with Seoul National University, underscore the accelerating momentum in Korea’s AI ecosystem.
The blueprint identifies several key factors driving this moment: Korea’s strong technological foundation, clear policy direction backed by public and private investment, and a timely opportunity to shape global AI progress through cooperation. It proposes a two-pronged strategy. First, South Korea should strengthen its domestic capabilities in foundational AI models, data governance, computing infrastructure, and GPU supply chains to maintain strategic autonomy. Second, it should pursue targeted collaborations with leading AI developers to fast-track deployment and ensure businesses can access advanced tools.
These dual pathways are designed to reinforce one another. Early adoption of frontier AI systems can improve operational efficiency, data management, and cost control, which in turn strengthens the nation’s independent AI capacity.
The report highlights four priority areas for transformation. In exports and industrial sectors—such as semiconductors, automotive, and shipbuilding—AI can enhance product design, enable smart manufacturing, and optimize logistics. In healthcare, where demand is rising due to an aging population, intelligent systems can assist medical professionals, reduce errors, and streamline administrative tasks, all while maintaining safety through controlled testing environments and human oversight.
In education, AI-powered tutoring and teaching assistants could personalize learning experiences, reduce workloads for educators, and extend quality instruction beyond major urban centers, fostering a generation fluent in AI technologies. For small and medium enterprises (SMEs), accessible AI tools can simplify compliance, export procedures, and documentation, allowing owners to focus on innovation and growth, particularly in regions outside Seoul.
Supporting these efforts requires progress across four enablers. First, scaling up computing infrastructure through initiatives like Stargate and ongoing coordination with MSIT can establish a resilient local foundation. Second, ensuring operational readiness through structured testing, phased rollouts, and real-time monitoring is critical for reliable AI integration in both public and private sectors.
Third, effective data governance—including interoperable platforms, clear consent protocols, and regulated sandboxes—can promote responsible innovation and faster implementation. Fourth, a modernized legal and regulatory framework with stable, internationally compatible standards can reduce uncertainty, encourage investment, and accelerate adoption in low-risk, high-impact areas.
If successfully executed, this dual approach could enable South Korea to widely deploy AI across critical sectors, integrate global best practices in system operations, and potentially develop an exportable model combining technology, financing, and policy expertise—mirroring its past success in large-scale infrastructure projects.
Chris Lehane, OpenAI’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, stated, “As we enter a new era of intelligence, Korea has a historic opportunity to lead, powered by its strengths in semiconductors, digital infrastructure, talent, and strong government support. This approach can position Korea not just as an adopter, but as a global standard-setter and trusted provider of scalable AI systems.”
— news from OpenAI
— News Original —
AI in South Korea—OpenAI’s Economic Blueprint
OpenAI n nOctober 23, 2025 n nCompanyGlobal Affairs n nAI in South Korea—OpenAI’s Economic Blueprint n nThe Blueprint outlines policy proposals for how South Korea can maximize AI’s benefits and drive economic growth. n nSouth Korea is poised to become one of the world’s next AI powerhouses. With world-class semiconductor manufacturing, dense digital infrastructure, highly educated talent, and a government that has made AI a national priority, the country has the ingredients to lead. Our new Economic Blueprint for Korea outlines how South Korea can translate those strengths into scaled, trusted AI adoption across its economy—while ensuring the benefits are broadly shared. n nThis blueprint builds on recent milestones, including OpenAI’s first country-level partnership in APAC announced on October 1. Through the Stargate initiative, Samsung and SK plan to expand advanced memory supply crucial to frontier AI, while OpenAI, the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), and the partners are exploring next-generation AI data centers in Korea. Alongside the launch of the Korea office and a strategic collaboration with Seoul National University, these steps reflect Korea’s momentum and the potential for positive spillovers across industry, infrastructure, and talent. n nWhy Korea and why now n nA strong foundation: Korea ranks among the global leaders in AI readiness, with deep strengths in chips, devices, and networks, and a vibrant private sector eager to adopt AI. n nA clear policy focus: The government has committed significant public–private funds to strengthen competitiveness. n nA window of opportunity: As frontier AI rapidly advances, global cooperation will shape the next decade of productivity and innovation. n nA dual-track strategy n nThe blueprint recommends a dual-track approach: n nBuild sovereign AI capabilities in foundation models, infrastructure, data governance, and GPU supply, so Korea can chart its own course. n nPursue strategic collaborations with frontier AI developers to accelerate adoption and ensure businesses gain access to state-of-the-art technologies. A notable example of the strategic collaborations between OpenAI and Samsung, SK, and the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT). n nThese tracks are complementary: frontier adoption can strengthen operational maturity, data stewardship, and cost efficiency—capabilities that, in turn, reinforce Korea’s sovereign AI ecosystem. n nPriority areas for impact n nExports & industrial competitiveness: Korea’s export engine—semiconductors, autos, shipbuilding—can gain from AI-enabled design, smart factories, and autonomous systems. Frontier-grade tools help manufacturers reduce cycle times, improve yield, and optimize supply chains. n nHealthcare & social welfare: With an aging population and high care utilization, AI can support clinicians, reduce errors, streamline documentation, and extend access—while preserving safety through sandboxes, monitoring, and human oversight. n nEducation & talent: AI tutors and educator copilots can personalize learning, ease administrative burdens, and expand access beyond major metros, helping cultivate an “AI-native” student experience and a next-generation talent pipeline. n nSMEs & regional vitality: Lightweight, affordable AI assistants for paperwork, exports, and compliance can free up time for value-creating work and help smaller firms participate in the AI economy—supporting balanced growth beyond Seoul. n nEnablers: infrastructure, operations, data, and law n nInfrastructure at scale: Partnerships under Stargate and ongoing work with MSIT aim to expand compute capacity in Korea. Frontier-level data center practices—on siting, power, efficiency, and software operations—can anchor a durable local ecosystem. n nOperational readiness: Disciplined testing, staged rollouts, real-time monitoring, and clear incident response are essential for reliable AI deployment in enterprise and public services. Frontier collaboration can accelerate the diffusion of these practices. n nData governance & sandboxes: Interoperable data platforms, clear rules for consent and pseudonymization, and supervised regulatory sandboxes enable responsible experimentation—and faster translation from pilots to practice. n nModernized policy environment: Stable, internationally aligned guidelines reduce uncertainty and spur investment. Rationalizing barriers and opening non-sensitive public data can speed adoption where benefits are clear and risks are managed. n nWhat success looks like n nIf South Korea pairs sovereign capability-building with targeted frontier partnerships, it can: n nScale AI across exports, healthcare, education, and SMEs—boosting productivity and inclusion. n nEmbed global best practices in infrastructure and operations—lowering cost and risk. n nDevelop an exportable “AI nation package” that bundles technology, financing, and policy know-how—similar to Korea’s track record in complex projects like nuclear power and smart cities. n nKorea’s ambition to be a top-three AI nation is credible. The decisive factor now is speed to safe deployment—turning promise into practice across sectors and regions. n n“As we enter a new era of intelligence, Korea has a historic opportunity to lead, powered by its strengths in semiconductors, digital infrastructure, talent, and strong government support,” said Chris Lehane, Chief Global Affairs Officer. “This approach can position Korea not just as an adopter, but as a global standard-setter and trusted provider of scalable AI systems.” n nRead the full report here (opens in a new window) for our recommendations and case studies. n nKeep reading n nView all n nAI in Japan—OpenAI’s Japan Economic Blueprint n nCompanyOct 22, 2025 n nContinue your ChatGPT experience beyond WhatsApp n nProductOct 21, 2025 n nExpert Council on Well-Being and AI n nCompanyOct 14, 2025