South Korea AI Investment Strategy 2026: Lobbies Urge Speed and Deregulation

Speed is the only way to survive the AI race. South Korea's top business lobbies are sounding the alarm, declaring 2026 a critical year for securing global dominance in artificial intelligence.

According to Yonhap, on Dec. 29, 2025, the leaders of major business organizations, including the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), emphasized in their New Year messages that AI is the ultimate tool to overcome low growth and geopolitical uncertainties. They've called for heightened policy predictability to ensure businesses don't hit hurdles during their innovation journey.

South Korea AI Investment Strategy 2026: Financing and Legal Reform

Chey Tae-won, chairman of the KCCI and head of SK Group, stated that the ability to pursue major investment projects swiftly is essential for global competitiveness in AI and green transformation. Chey has been specifically pushing the government to revamp local fair trade laws to help chipmakers raise cash more effectively, including easing shareholding regulations for subsidiaries aimed at attracting outside investment.

The KCCI chief noted that companies shouldn't face heavier regulations simply because they grow in size. He's stressed that improving the predictability of local policies is vital so that businesses, the main drivers of growth, can execute investments without unnecessary friction.

Strengthening Public-Private Synergy for Exports

Ryu Jin, chairman of the FKI, highlighted the need for institutional innovations to strengthen competitiveness in new growth sectors like AI. Meanwhile, Yoon Jin-sik of the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) projected that global economic uncertainty will persist through 2026. KITA plans to support Korean firms' overseas expansion by advancing AI-based export support infrastructure.