[Speech Summary] The Dreams and Aspirations of the ROK in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution The Korean economy is currently facing both internal and external crises. Korea’s advanced manufacturing sector finds itself in a “nutcracker” position between China’s rapid rise and U.S. trade pressure, while in future-oriented digital industries such as platforms and AI, Korea lags far behind both the United States and China.
On the security front, Korea is confronted with increasingly difficult choices as the U.S.–China rivalry intensifies, Cross-Strait tensions escalate, and the role of U.S. Forces Korea undergoes realignment. Economically, most of Korea’s advanced manufacturing sectors have already lost their competitive edge to China, while being simultaneously exposed to strong U.S. trade pressure.
In Northeast Asia, the idea of a horizontal confederation among Korea, China, and Japan is unlikely to yield tangible results given the intense competition in their export structures and unresolved historical animosities. In particular, China and Japan’s one-sided approach toward Korea further undermines the prospects for EU-style cooperation. Yet, the U.S. “Pivot to Asia” strategy and the Russia–Ukraine war have highlighted the presence of the U.S. and Russia as de facto East Asian powers, opening up a new possibility for a vertical alliance among Korea, the United States, and Russia.
This presentation will explore Korea’s path forward under a new balance of power in Northeast Asia, underscoring the inevitability of a trilateral Korea–U.S.–Russia alliance that is mutually complementary in both economic and security terms.

[Speech Summary] Suggestions for a successful AI Transformation The technological advancement of generative AI, represented by ChatGPT, now seems to be reaching a phase of conclusion. As a result, the need to fully utilize foundation models is rapidly growing, and in fact, 2025 is witnessing an explosive increase in AI applications across all industries. However, from the perspective of companies, the emergence of these cases deepens the question of what must be done to successfully transition into AI-enabled organizations.
In this lecture, based on actual experiences of adopting AI and creating new business opportunities within companies, I would like to offer suggestions on where to begin and what to focus on.
The first suggestion is education for both leaders and practitioners within the company. In particular, it is crucial that leaders understand AI. When leaders grasp AI, the speed of learning and applying AI within the organization accelerates.

[Speech Summary] Accelerating Time to Innovation: AI-Driven Battery Technology Innovation The global secondary battery industry faces a dual challenge: accelerating the pace of technological innovation while deepening its technological sophistication. LG Energy Solution addresses these challenges through its strategy of “Compression and Accumulation of Time.”
Time compression dramatically accelerates battery technology development by leveraging AI-based reverse engineering, simulation, and open innovation. Time accumulation secures a solid foundation by drawing on decades of accumulated know-how, data, and intellectual property. The synergy of these two approaches offers more than just faster development; it ensures reliability and competitiveness at the same time, carving out a unique path forward.
This presentation will share LG Energy Solution’s vision to solidify its leadership in future battery technology through the strategy of “Compression and Accumulation of Time.”

[Speech Summary] AI: A New Wave Transforming the World In this lecture, LG AI Research first examines the impact of AI technology on various industries and the growth trends of the global AI industry. Following that, I'll introduce the background and vision behind the creation of EXAONE, developed by LG AI Research.
EXAONE stands for "EXpert AI for EveryONE," and its goal is to provide expert-level AI performance to the public. EXAONE is a multimodal AI of understanding and processing various data types, including images, molecular structures, and charts, not just simple text. Notably, EXAONE 4.0 is a hybrid AI that combines language processing and reasoning capabilities, specializing in providing more sophisticated support for problem-solving and decision-making.
EXAONE is expanding its applications across various industries. In the medical field, for example, EXAONE Path 2.0, a specialized bio field, is used for diagnosing patient conditions and creating treatment plans. In manufacturing, it serves as a tool for designing new materials and optimizing processes. Additionally, in the service sector, EXAONE is active in customer service, marketing, content creation, and more.
Through EXAONE, LG AI Research is expanding the AI technology ecosystem and creating an environment where anyone can use expert-level AI. EXAONE is expected to continue its development and be applied to an even wider range of industries, playing a crucial role in accelerating the commercialization and innovation of AI.

[Speech Summary] Explainable AI for Safety-Critical Systems: Enhancing Trust in AI The semiconductor industry, long shaped by a highly sophisticated global division of labor, is now being reshaped by two major forces: the intensifying U.S.-China technological rivalry and the rapid growth of the AI sector. In particular, U.S.-based NVIDIA, which dominates the AI accelerator GPU market; Taiwan’s TSMC, which holds a near-monopoly in GPU manufacturing; and Korea’s SK hynix, which leads the market for AI-optimized high-performance memory, all wield significant influence within the highly concentrated AI semiconductor value chain.
As the AI market is expected to evolve from massive LLM training toward domain-specific SLM inference, the global AI semiconductor industry—shifting toward manufacturing-focused AI and sector-specific (vertical) AI applications—is likewise anticipated to diversify. In particular, the deepening strategic rivalry between the U.S. and China is likely to result not only in the decoupling of AI semiconductor supply chains but also in a broader technological bifurcation.
Amid this uncertainty, Korea’s pursuit of sovereign AI presents both significant challenges and opportunities. Leveraging its existing strengths in semiconductors, Korea must aim to secure leadership not only in AI and AI semiconductors, but also in domain-specific AI semiconductor industries. To remain competitive in this shifting landscape, Korea will need to prioritize technological leadership, build sustainable infrastructure, and implement a forward-looking global strategy centered on AI semiconductor clusters.

[Speech Summary] The Rise of Physical AI: A New Era of Human-Scale Automation The manufacturing world is undergoing a profound transformation. As industry faces mounting pressure from labor shortages, rising customization demands, and economic volatility, a new generation of advanced robotics is becoming essential for business competitiveness. Universal Robots, the global leader in collaborative industrial robotics, is driving this shift, with products rooted in usability, adaptability, and intelligence.
Over the last 20 years, Universal Robots has redefined industrial automation by making robotics safe, flexible, and easy to deploy. It has sold over 100,000 collaborative robots worldwide and nurtured a global ecosystem of partners bringing innovative solutions to a wide range of industries.
The next frontier is now here as physical AI fuses intelligent software with real-world action. A new generation of robots from Universal Robots and its sister company MiR will not only automate tasks but perceive, adapt, and collaborate in real time. This is the promise of physical AI: intelligent applications that operate safely alongside humans, respond to dynamic environments, and unlock new levels of productivity and resilience.
In this presentation, Jean-Pierre, President of Universal Robots, will explore the company’s latest products, platform and industry-leading ecosystem are shaping the future of manufacturing and share his views on what continues to set Universal Robots apart.

[Speech Summary] The Speed of Evolution, the Power of Efficiency I have spent the last 20 years as an automotive journalist. For most of that time, change felt slow, but in recent years the pace of innovation has been several times faster than in the past ten-plus years. Electric vehicles are becoming mainstream, autonomous driving is emerging, and even the jobs of professional drivers—the single largest occupational group—are under threat. The rapid diversification of technologies such as robotics and AI, drones and UAM, hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen combustion engines makes it increasingly difficult to envision the future.
Yet history shows that transportation has always evolved with one clear driver: efficiency. The age of abundant fossil fuels is ending, and energy costs continue to rise. The near future will demand extreme pursuit of sustainability and efficiency, driving ever faster transformation. Visions of the future centered on extravagance— massive flying vehicles built for leisure, wasteful hydrogen-burning engines, or the production of synthetic fuels without regard for efficiency—are unrealistic. Inefficient modes of transport will inevitably disappear.
AI-driven autonomous mobility is already ending the inefficiencies of human input, with applications extending far beyond taxis into logistics, agriculture, and construction. Private cars that transport a single 70 kg human in a 2-ton vehicle, requiring round trips and parking, are unsustainable. Ownership-based systems will also fade away. A flood of new ideas is emerging, but we must evaluate them without preconceptions—guided solely by efficiency.

[Speech Summary] Next-Generation Semiconductors: Paving the Way for Industrial Innovation and Sustainable Infrastructure From the energy crisis in data centers driven by large AI models to the ultra-low latency and reliability demands of autonomous driving and smart factories, the foundation of every industrial innovation rests on semiconductors—both as a physical constraint and as an enabler. Next-generation semiconductors are positioned to overcome current limitations, driving not only performance improvements but also enabling sustainable growth as a core technology.
This presentation will explore how cutting-edge advances in AI and system semiconductors address pressing challenges across industries while delivering long-term value. We will also discuss the future of architectures required by new computational patterns emerging beyond generative AI, and examine how Korea, leveraging its semiconductor strengths, can seize strategic opportunities to lead in building a sustainable AI infrastructure.

[Speech Summary] The Global Voyage of K-Maritime Defense: Competitiveness and Realization Strategies Rising global demand for naval vessels, combined with the U.S. launch of its 30-Year Shipbuilding Plan and the ‘MASGA Project,’ is fueling expectations for K-Defense Maritime and interest in the strategies behind it. This moment marks the beginning of a new era: the “Global Voyage of K-Defense Maritime.” To seize this opportunity, the industry needs sharper analysis and broader consensus. This presentation will focus on the competitiveness and strategies of K-Defense Maritime, drawing on HD Hyundai Heavy Industries as the central case study. Since building Korea’s first domestically produced combat ship in 1980, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has delivered 106 naval and special-purpose vessels, including surface ships and submarines. It is also recognized for its world-class capabilities in building Aegis destroyers. On the export front, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries began with the delivery of a naval support ship to New Zealand in 1987 and has since exported 18 naval vessels, accounting for nearly half of Korea’s total naval exports of around 40 ships. This extensive track record, combined with cutting-edge technology, highlights K-Defense Maritime's unique ability to meet all three critical requirements of the global market: performance, cost, and delivery schedule. The outlook is strong. The international naval vessel market is expected to reach USD 100 billion over the next decade. In addition, the United States plans to invest approximately USD 35.8 billion annually to build 364 ships over the next 30 years. To move quickly and seize the opportunities opened by the U.S. shipbuilding plans, Korea must strengthen its manpower, supply chains, and production infrastructure, underpinned by R&D and technological innovation, including the integration of AI. However, Korea’s current shipbuilding infrastructure is not up to the challenge, and participation in the MASGA Project requires a strong foundation in shipbuilding and defense maritime capabilities. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is taking proactive steps to address these shortfalls. These include its merger with Hyundai Mipo Dockyard to strengthen naval shipbuilding capacity and strategies to expand its global production base. The company is also pursuing joint programs to develop skilled manpower and signing MOUs with U.S. shipyards to support participation in the MASGA Project. The competitiveness and strategies of K-Defense Maritime will be discussed in greater detail in this presentation through a SWOT analysis.

[Speech Summary] The Driving Force of Korea’s Defense Advancement: Domestic Aero Engine Development and Industrial Innovation Aerial weapon systems have long determined the outcomes of wars, and global military powers have devoted significant resources to developing and upgrading these systems to secure air superiority.
Among them, the aero engine is the decisive component of performance. Until now, Korea has relied heavily on imports, but amid the intensifying U.S.–China technological rivalry and strict technology controls, the uncertainty of future access has grown. Considering the full life cycle of aerial weapon systems, including MRO, domestic development of aero engines can prevent significant foreign currency outflow.
To prepare for rapidly evolving battlefields and to secure next-generation fighter capabilities, Korea must achieve technological independence through advanced aero engine development. The nation already has a strong foundation in related industries, enabling synergies and even the development of derivative engines. Such advancements would not only generate long-term stable revenues and employment, but also position aero engines as a future driver of national economic growth. Nearly 200 Korean SMEs and middle market enterprises could potentially replace currently imported engine materials and components.
Domestic development of aero engines will propel Korea toward becoming one of the world’s top four defense powers, while simultaneously advancing the aerospace industrial ecosystem and laying the foundation for complete self-reliant defense.

[Speech Summary] Offshore Wind Power in the AI Era: Spotlight on the K-Wind Turbine The rapid advancement of digital technologies such as AI, cloud services, streaming, and IoT is driving an explosive increase in data center power consumption, which in turn is sharply expanding electricity demand across the entire digital infrastructure. This trend underscores the growing need for sustainable energy sources. In this context, offshore wind is gaining prominence as a renewable energy source capable of delivering large-scale power without carbon emissions. It is ideally suited to supporting both carbon-neutral goals and data centers’ RE100 commitments to 100% renewable energy. Offshore wind offers the dual advantage of scale and stability, while its proximity to coastal data centers enables highly efficient energy delivery.
Against this backdrop, this presentation will examine offshore wind developments worldwide and in Korea and present Doosan Enerbility’s Wind Turbine Generators in the context of two core objectives the company is pursuing despite challenging conditions at home and abroad: localizing wind power technology and building strong partnerships with domestic component suppliers. The presentation will also share Doosan Enerbility’s vision and strategy for the K-Wind Turbine, a next-generation offshore wind platform. This includes efforts to strengthen Korea’s supply chain by maximizing the use of domestic components, curbing the unchecked influx of low-cost imports, and revitalizing the local industrial ecosystem.

[Speech Summary] K-Energy Highway & HVDC Submarine Cables: The Power Grid Solution for the Electrification Era The rise of electrification, represented by the rapid expansion of AI data centers and offshore wind power, is driving a profound transformation of global power grids. The shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources requires investment in HVDC systems that can ensure long-distance, high-capacity transmission and grid stability—an imperative closely aligned with global initiatives such as the Supergrid and Energy Highway programs.
In this context, Korea plans to complete the first phase of the K-Energy Highway by 2030 to reliably transmit offshore wind power, and expand it into the Korean Peninsula Energy Highway by the 2040s, covering both the South and East Seas. The government has defined this initiative as the “artery of economic growth,” positioning it as a national project of the future—following the industrial expressways of the 1970s and the information superhighways of the 1990s—while envisioning it as a power artery connecting renewable energy hubs with advanced industrial clusters such as AIDC and Semiconductor Cluster.
K-Energy Highway goes beyond a conventional transmission network: it is a cornerstone for carbon neutrality and sustainable growth, offering a grid solution for RE100 and securing reliable electricity supply for high-tech industrial complex, while accelerating Korea’s great energy transition.