Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is set to embark on a diplomatic mission to the United States and Switzerland on Thursday, aiming to secure the establishment of a United Nations (UN) Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub.
The Prime Minister’s Office announced that Kim will depart for the U.S. today, with planned stops in Washington, D.C., New York, and Geneva, Switzerland. His trip is scheduled to conclude on March 19.
During his visit, Prime Minister Kim is slated to meet with the UN Secretary-General and heads of relevant specialized agencies.
The proposed UN AI hub is envisioned as a global AI cooperation platform, designed to address various international challenges by fostering collaboration between UN specialized agencies, the South Korean government, and the private sector.
Once established, the UN AI hub is expected to play a crucial role in tackling global issues through shared AI infrastructure and joint projects with various UN agencies. This initiative aims to position South Korea as a key player in global AI cooperation, spearheading efforts centered on fundamental AI principles.
To support the formal establishment of the UN AI hub, the government has decided to form a UN AI Hub Promotion Committee, chaired by the Prime Minister, during today’s meeting. Future discussions will include plans to enhance the committee with private sector advisors.
In the U.S., Prime Minister Kim will visit the UN headquarters, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). His Swiss itinerary includes meetings with leaders from the World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), and International Organization for Migration (IOM) to discuss future cooperation strategies.
Additionally, the Prime Minister plans to engage with senior U.S. officials during this visit. These high-level meetings are expected to cover pressing issues, including ongoing tariff negotiations.
There is significant interest in whether Prime Minister Kim will continue discussions with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, whom he previously met during his visit to the U.S. at the end of January.