- First MSIT budget under the Lee Jae Myung administration totals KRW 23.7 trillion, up 12.9% from this year’s budget; R&D budget set at KRW 11.8 trillion, up 21.6%

- Four investment priorities: ▲ nationwide AI transformation (AX), ▲ NEXT strategic technologies, ▲ a robust R&D ecosystem, and ▲ balanced growth through science, technology and digital innovation.

The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT, Minister Bae Kyunghoon) announced that its proposed 2026 budget and fund management plan totals KRW 23.7 trillion, the largest on record and a 12.9% increase from the 2025 supplementary budget (KRW 21.0 trillion). The R&D budget stands at KRW 11.8 trillion, up 21.6% year on year, representing 33.4% of total government R&D spending.

Category2023202420252026 (Proposal)
Total Budget18.918.621.023.7
R&D Budget9.89.09.711.8
※Note: 2023–2024 figures include programs transferred to the Korea AeroSpace Administration.

Of the government’s KRW 10.1 trillion AI budget, MSIT will oversee KRW 5.1 trillion, earmarked for projects including nationwide AI transformation (KRW 4.5 trillion) and AI-enabled S&T innovation (KRW 0.6 trillion).

Aligned with the Lee administration’s vision—“Putting people first, building a nation of shared happiness”—MSIT aims to overcome the dual challenges of slowing growth and intensifying global tech rivalry, while accelerating Korea’s transition to an innovation-driven economy. To this end, the ministry will (1) spearhead an AI Transformation (AX), (2) nurture NEXT strategic technologies, (3) foster a robust R&D ecosystem, and (4) promote balanced growth so that all citizens can share equally in the benefits of science, technology and digital innovation.


※ Please refer to the attached files.