President Lee Jae-myung convened a Senior Secretaries and Advisers Meeting at Cheong Wa Dae (CWD) on April 9, directing government officials to prepare for all possible scenarios following the recent U.S.–Iran ceasefire agreement, which he said has opened a new phase in the Middle Eastern conflict but warrants no complacency.
Lee issued an urgent directive to mobilize all available diplomatic channels and networks to secure the safe return of Korean crew members and vessels currently stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. He further ordered accelerated efforts to secure additional crude oil and critical raw materials, advance the transition to renewable energy, and drive structural reform across key industries.
Reaffirming his administration's commitment to balanced regional development, Lee described local-led growth as a matter of national survival, pledging to maintain a policy framework that prioritizes regional fiscal support and preferential allocation of government programs outside the capital.
The President also called for a unified national response to both international instability and pressing domestic challenges, instructing officials to apply a zero-tolerance policy to the malicious spread of disinformation, which he characterized as a direct threat to social cohesion. He stressed that the current crisis demands a pace and quality of governance that goes beyond conventional procedures.
Future Industries: ASI, SMR, and the K-Grid
In the closed session that followed, officials held in-depth discussions on next-generation strategic industries. Artificial superintelligence (ASI) — defined as exceeding general artificial intelligence — was designated a core national strategic asset for addressing global challenges, with a consensus reached to consolidate public–private capacity and build a sustainable research ecosystem through active government investment.
On next-generation small modular reactors (SMR), the administration identified the next five years as a critical window to capture market share ahead of anticipated mass deployment in the 2030s, building on the SMR Special Act enacted this past February.
Export industrialization plans include the formation of a "K-Grid Team Korea Consortium" focused on high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission and 765kV power grid infrastructure as flagship export items. Future mobility discussions covered the rollout of autonomous vehicle demonstration cities and new frameworks for battery leasing and spent-battery reuse through a regulatory sandbox mechanism.
Manufacturing innovation was also addressed through a proposed joint public–private "MAX Alliance" for developing and distributing industry-specific AI robotics. The importance of securing dedicated cybersecurity funding was raised during the session and received the President's express endorsement.
Cultural industries, healthcare, and eldercare were also reviewed, with a strategy to revitalize tourism centered on hosting international conferences and developing infrastructure in regional cities. Lee pledged to position Korea's tourism sector among the world's best, urging rapid identification and execution of initiatives. Progress in pharmaceuticals, biotech, healthcare, and age-tech industries targeting a global top-five ranking was also assessed.
The President closed the meeting by urging Cheong Wa Dae staff and relevant ministries to devise bold measures that can deliver tangible improvements in citizens' lives during this period of sweeping transformation.
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Press release translated by AI, edited by David Kendall
