South Korea’s bid to host the UN Global Artificial Intelligence Hub is gaining significant momentum, with growing support from multiple United Nations agencies, raising expectations that the initiative is now within reach.

Following the signing of Letters of Intent (LOIs) by six UN-affiliated organizations—including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)—additional agencies such as UNICEF and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have also expressed their willingness to participate.

Rare Consensus Among UN Agencies

Representative Cha Ji-ho of the Democratic Party of Korea, who serves as secretary of the National Assembly’s Global AI Hub Bid Committee, noted that the level of alignment among UN agencies is highly unusual.

“It is rare for multiple UN agencies to make decisions within a short timeframe, and even rarer for them to present a unified position,” Cha said. “Two additional agencies have also indicated their intention to join.”

Just two weeks after the government formally launched the initiative under the leadership of the Office of the Prime Minister, six out of 31 UN-affiliated organizations have confirmed cooperation, while two more have expressed interest—marking a significant early achievement.

South Korea Takes Strategic Lead

The Korean government had prepared the proposal through extensive behind-the-scenes efforts before presenting the concept and necessity of the Global AI Hub to the United Nations, successfully gaining initial agreement.

Observers note that South Korea has taken a strategic lead by being the first country to propose the need for such a hub and positioning itself as a central coordinating force in global AI cooperation.

Three-Pillar Strategy for Global AI Leadership

Representative Cha emphasized that the initiative is closely linked to the broader national strategy under President Lee Jae-myung, including:

• Promotion of an “AI Basic Society” as a core national vision
• Securing large-scale investment through global financial partnerships, including agreements with BlackRock
• Attracting the Global AI Hub to establish international leadership

These three pillars are designed to work in synergy—mobilizing energy and infrastructure investments, building AI-based social safety nets, and supporting the development of AI ecosystems both domestically and internationally.

What is an “AI Basic Society”?

Cha described the concept of an AI Basic Society as a system that ensures a minimum quality of life for citizens facing social disparities arising from rapid AI development in areas such as healthcare, education, finance, and welfare.

He explained that the framework serves as a transitional model to address inequality before sufficient public resources are secured to implement broader measures such as AI-based basic income.

Expanding Korea’s AI Model Globally

According to Cha, securing the Global AI Hub would allow South Korea to expand its AI governance model beyond its borders.

“Through the Global AI Hub, the AI Basic Society that begins in Korea can spread worldwide,” he said. “Internationally, expectations for Korea’s role in shaping global agendas and public order are even higher than we may realize.”

As an example of growing international interest, Cha noted that during the Prime Minister’s recent visit to the United States, a White House official informally inquired whether U.S. government-level support would be needed for South Korea’s bid.

A Global Vision for Safe and Inclusive AI

The government aims not only to establish the hub domestically but also to support safe and responsible AI adoption worldwide.

By leveraging the Global AI Hub, South Korea plans to help countries build sustainable AI ecosystems and ensure that the benefits of AI—including the principles of an AI Basic Society—can be shared globally.