MSIT (Ministry of Science and ICT)

What MSIT (Ministry of Science and ICT) does

MSIT (Ministry of Science and ICT, 과학기술정보통신부) is a cabinet-level ministry of the Republic of Korea, headquartered at Government Complex-Sejong, with approximately 501–1,000 employees. Formed in 2013 from the merger of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Information and Communication and renamed to its current form in 2017, MSIT is responsible for national policy on science, information and communications technology, semiconductor strategy, quantum technology, space AI, and cybersecurity. The ministry formulates and enforces regulatory frameworks — most notably the AI Basic Act, which came into force on January 22, 2026 as the world's first comprehensive national AI regulatory regime covering high-impact AI in healthcare, transportation, nuclear safety, and finance, with labeling, transparency, and local-representative obligations backed by fines of up to KRW 30 million.

MSIT does not sell commercial software or services; it operates through policy, research funding, and partnership orchestration. Its core "products" are programs rather than SaaS: the InnoCORE Global Postdoctoral Program (scaling to ~1,000 researchers with USD 465 million of five-year funding and an annual package of USD 62,000 salary plus USD 41,500 research funding), the SME Cybersecurity Support Programs (seven free services delivered via KISA), the AI-based cyber threat response plan, and the K-Moonshot project targeting 12 national challenges by 2035. Technically, MSIT funds and coordinates AI infrastructure including the NVIDIA/Hyundai AI Factory (50,000 Blackwell GPUs, ~USD 3 billion), an aggregate of more than 250,000 NVIDIA GPUs across Korean manufacturing and telecommunications deployments, and the verification of a space radiation-hardened IGZO-based synaptic AI semiconductor (92.61% pattern-recognition accuracy under 20-year LEO-equivalent proton radiation).

Its business model is government-funded rather than revenue-based: budgets are allocated by the National Assembly and the ministry reports to the executive branch. Stakeholders include SMEs receiving cybersecurity services, researchers and universities participating in InnoCORE, major Korean industrial companies (Samsung, SK hynix, SK Telecom, Hyundai, Samsung C&T, Samsung Heavy Industries, Samsung SDS) participating in flagship AI infrastructure deals, AI developers subject to the AI Basic Act, and international technology partners (OpenAI, Google DeepMind, NVIDIA, Anthropic, Italian Space Agency, ITU). Revenue is not reported in the manner of a private company; the ministry's value is delivered through regulatory certainty, research output, and ecosystem capitalization rather than through commercial sales.

Name

MSIT (Ministry of Science and ICT)

Legal name

Ministry of Science and ICT

Website

https://msit.go.kr

Company type

Public

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

MSIT (Ministry of Science and ICT) is South Korea's cabinet-level ministry that sets national science, ICT, semiconductor, and AI policy — including the world's first comprehensive AI regulation — and orchestrates flagship research, cybersecurity, and infrastructure programs through partnerships with NVIDIA, Google, OpenAI, and Korean industrial champions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Science and Technology Administration

NAICS

Administration of Economic Programs (9261), Space Research and Technology (92711)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

IT Program/Project Management (PMO) & Delivery Assurance (BPAEAAAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Managed Security Services (MSSP) & 24/7 SOC Operations (BPAKAHAA), Data Security & Privacy Managed Services (DLP/Encryption) (BPAEADAL)

Keywords

• National science policy
• AI regulatory framework
• Cybersecurity support programs
• Research funding programs
• Technology infrastructure development

Headquarters

HQ city

Sejung

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

MSIT is South Korea's central government ministry responsible for formulating and enforcing national science, technology, and ICT policy. Its core deliverables include the AI Basic Act regulatory framework, R&D funding and fellowship programs such as InnoCORE, cybersecurity support initiatives for SMEs delivered via KISA, and coordination of strategic technology infrastructure partnerships with NVIDIA, Google, and OpenAI.

Product overview

MSIT (Ministry of Science and ICT) is South Korea's government ministry responsible for science, technology, and ICT policy. Rather than commercial software products, MSIT oversees national initiatives including AI policy frameworks (AI Basic Act), research programs (InnoCORE postdoctoral program), AI infrastructure partnerships (NVIDIA AI Factory), cybersecurity support programs for SMEs, and international AI collaborations (Google AI Campus, OpenAI Stargate). The ministry's activities focus on policy development, research funding, regulatory frameworks, and strategic partnerships to position South Korea as a global AI leader.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• InnoCORE Global Postdoctoral Job Fair Government-funded postdoctoral research fellowship program recruiting global researchers into South Korean National Strategic Technology domains including AI, semiconductors, and advanced biotech. Open to research institutions and universities hosting fellows; recruits are placed at Korean R&D institutions.
• SME Cybersecurity Support Programs Seven free cybersecurity support programs delivered via KISA to South Korean SMEs, covering security investment guides, attack surface checks, software supply chain diagnostics, AI vulnerability testing, penetration testing, and security vulnerability checks.
• Governmental Trusted Access for Cyber (GTAC) Government program providing trusted access to security-focused AI models including OpenAI's GPT-5.5-Cyber for cybersecurity applications. South Korea became the third nation to participate after the US and Canada.
• NVIDIA AI Factory (Hyundai Motor Group) AI factory infrastructure powered by 50,000 NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs for developing autonomous vehicles, smart factories, and robotics, representing approximately USD 3 billion in joint investment between Hyundai Motor Group and NVIDIA under MSIT coordination.
• Google AI Campus Seoul Google's first AI campus outside the United Kingdom, established in Seoul with at least 10 Google researchers deployed from U.S. headquarters for joint AI research, skills development, and responsible AI use in support of the K-Moonshot project.

Quantifiable outcome

• First nation to implement comprehensive AI regulatory framework (AI Basic Act)
• +4 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA)coreTechnology or Integration · 26 June 2026Partnership to launch seven free cybersecurity support programs for SMEs including security investment guides, attack surface checks, software supply chain diagnostics, AI vulnerability testing, penetration testing, and security vulnerability checks. This initiative follows up on the AI-based cyber threat response private-sector information security promotion plan.
• AnthropiccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2026MSIT partnered with Anthropic for Global AI Safety and Security as announced through MSIT press release.
• OpenAI (AISI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2026AISI (AI Safety Institute) and OpenAI signed MoU to strengthen cooperation on AI safety as announced through MSIT press release.
• OpenAIcoreTechnology or Integration · 27 May 2026OpenAI launched GPT-5.5-Cyber cybersecurity action plan for South Korea, making Korea the third nation to gain access to its security-focused AI model through the Governmental Trusted Access for Cyber program after the US and Canada. OpenAI cited Korea's semiconductor industry, engineering talent, and advanced digital infrastructure as key reasons for targeting the market.
• Google DeepMindcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2026Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis signed MoU with South Korean Ministry of Science to advance AI initiatives including the opening of a Google AI campus near Seoul (first AI campus outside UK). Meetings with Samsung leadership (chairman Lee Jae-yong and Mobile Experience head Roh Tae-moon) discussed potential partnerships related to Samsung's upcoming Android XR smartglasses and high-bandwidth memory supply for Google's Tensor processors.
• GooglecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2026Google agreed to deploy at least 10 Google researchers from U.S. headquarters and signed MoU with Korea's Science Ministry covering joint AI research, skills development, and responsible AI use. The deal supports South Korea's K-Moonshot project targeting 12 major challenges from advanced biotech to space and semiconductors using AI by 2035.
• Italian Space AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2026Bilateral space cooperation between Italy and Korea. Italian astronaut Col. Walter Villadei delivered keynote speech emphasizing space as a platform for cooperation. Italian Space Agency announced plans for a mission to Korea in late 2024 or early 2025 to further strengthen institutional and industrial cooperation.
• International Telecommunication Union (ITU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2026MSIT listed as key sponsor alongside Microsoft Corporation, Technology Innovation Institute, and the governments of South Korea and Japan for the 7th AI for Good Global Summit. Summit organized with over 50 UN partner organizations and co-hosted with Switzerland, convening government, industry, academic, and civil society leaders to showcase AI applications.
• Korea Atomic Energy Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2026Joint announcement along with Chungbuk National University and Belgium's IMEC for first verification of AI semiconductor technology capable of operating stably in space-radiation environments. Demonstrates feasibility of deploying AI systems in extreme space environments and positions South Korea to develop self-reliant core technologies for space and aerospace AI semiconductors.
• Belgium's IMECcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2026International research partnership for verification of space radiation-resistant AI semiconductor technology. IMEC collaborated with MSIT, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, and Chungbuk National University on testing IGZO-based synaptic transistor technology.
• Chungbuk National UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2026Academic partnership for verification of space radiation-resistant AI semiconductor technology in collaboration with Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute and Belgium's IMEC.
• NVIDIAflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 October 2025Hyundai Motor Group and NVIDIA collaboration to build AI factory powered by 50,000 NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs for developing autonomous vehicles, smart factories, and robotics. Represents approximately $3 billion investment to advance Korea's physical AI landscape. Initiative includes Hyundai's Physical AI Application Center, NVIDIA AI Technology Center, and physical AI data centers. Formalized through MoU signed with Ministry of Science and ICT.
• NVIDIA (Government Partnership)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 October 2025NVIDIA collaborating with the South Korean government and major Korean industrial companies to develop extensive AI infrastructure using over a quarter-million NVIDIA GPUs across various sectors including manufacturing and telecommunications.
• Samsung ElectronicsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Samsung joined OpenAI's Stargate initiative, committing to scale advanced memory chip production to 900,000 DRAM wafer starts per month as part of global AI infrastructure development. Partnership signed at Presidential Office in Seoul with separate MoU with Ministry of Science and ICT.
• SK hynixflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025SK hynix joined OpenAI's Stargate initiative through strategic partnership announced at Presidential Office in Seoul, committing to scale advanced memory chip production as part of global AI infrastructure.
• SK TelecomcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025SK Telecom entered into partnership agreement with OpenAI to explore building AI data centers in Korea, part of the Stargate initiative.
• Samsung C&TcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Partnership agreement with OpenAI to explore building AI data centers in Korea as part of Stargate initiative.
• Samsung Heavy IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Partnership agreement with OpenAI to explore building AI data centers in Korea as part of Stargate initiative.
• Samsung SDScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Partnership agreement with OpenAI to explore building AI data centers in Korea as part of Stargate initiative.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• China Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT): China's central ICT and industrial policy ministry overseeing telecom, semiconductors, AI, and industrial digitization; operates at far greater scale but with parallel mandate to MSIT.
• Germany Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK): Germany's federal ministry driving industrial policy, AI strategy, and semiconductor initiatives—comparable to MSIT in managing national technology roadmaps and European-level tech cooperation.
• EU DG CONNECT (Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology): European Commission's policy arm for digital, AI, and telecom regulation—directly comparable in shaping cross-jurisdiction AI and ICT frameworks alongside national ministries.
• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA, US): US federal agency delivering nationwide cybersecurity programs and SME support—comparable in mandate to MSIT's KISA-anchored SME cybersecurity initiative.

Direct peers

• US AI Safety Institute (NIST): US counterpart for AI safety standards and evaluation, coordinating with frontier model labs (OpenAI, Anthropic)—directly comparable to MSIT's AI safety MoUs and GTAC participation.
• UK AI Safety Institute: Foundational peer for national AI safety testing and international AI safety MoUs—directly comparable role given MSIT's June 2026 MoUs with AISI/OpenAI and Anthropic.
• Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI): Japan's lead ministry for industrial and technology policy, semiconductor strategy, and AI governance—an East Asian counterpart with similar industry-coordination and R&D program responsibilities.
• UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT): Closest national S&T ministry peer, also driving AI regulation, AI Safety Institute coordination, and international tech partnerships—directly comparable mandate to MSIT.

Regional players

• Singapore Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA): Regional peer coordinating Singapore's digital economy, AI strategy, and telecom regulation; smaller scale but similar mandate around AI governance and ecosystem partnerships.
• Australia Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR): Australia's national ministry for industry, science, and resources policy; comparable in coordinating R&D investment, critical technology strategy, and international S&T partnerships.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/withmsit
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCjeajitvt5U76154ynrVzAA
• Facebookfacebook.com/withmsit
• Instagraminstagram.com/withmsit

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments12 records

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Frequently asked questions about MSIT (Ministry of Science and ICT)