Kim Se-woong will lead South Korea’s public AI service developers
South Korea has appointed former Kakao executive Kim Se-woong to lead its National AI Service Innovation Task Force. Starting on November 2, he will oversee an organization that directly develops public services with private-sector programmers and government employees. The ministry is moving beyond outsourced development and plans additional recruitment of specialists this month.
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A new leader for public-service development
South Korea has appointed Kim Se-woong, a former executive at internet company Kakao, to lead the National AI Service Innovation Task Force. The Ministry of Science and ICT announced the appointment on November 1. Kim starts work on November 2, with a term running through September 30, 2028. The organization was established this year to identify public needs and directly develop AI services. The ministry describes a move beyond a development process centered on outside contractors, bringing service-building work into a team of private-sector developers and public employees.[1], [2]
Developers work alongside public employees
The announced staff totals 61 people. It includes 26 private-sector developers hired as fixed-term public officials, 16 public-sector AI specialists, 13 ministry employees and 6 specialists from related organizations. The public-sector AI specialists are linked to an Interior Ministry program that trains and certifies practical expertise in AI transformation. The organization has a planning team, two development teams and a team responsible for development infrastructure and security. These groups will form the working structure under Kim’s leadership, with private developers and public-sector specialists at the center of direct service development.[1]
Recruitment continues in November
The ministry announced its private-developer recruitment plan in August and opened the leadership post to applicants in September. Kim was selected through document screening and interviews. He founded and managed technology startup MightyWorks in 2009 before working at Kakao in AI development, service commercialization and infrastructure. Kim said he wants to combine private-sector speed and innovation with public accountability to address inconveniences in daily life. Additional recruitment of private specialists is planned for early November. The ministry says separate notices will specify the roles, numbers, eligibility requirements and schedule, with details published on its website and the government jobs service Gojobs. His published biography includes an undergraduate degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Seoul National University, followed by doctoral coursework in electrical and computer engineering. The ministry lists his experience across both building AI technology and operating services.[1], [2]
