Politics · South Korea · 2 hrs ago
Former Samsung executive Lee Ji-soo named South Korea’s AI policy secretary
South Korea has appointed Lee Ji-soo as its new national AI policy secretary.
The appointment was announced by the presidential office on November 2, and Lee replaces Kim Woo-chang, who left the post the day before.
Lee previously led development of Samsung’s Bixby voice assistant in the company’s mobile division.
Before joining Samsung, Lee was an associate professor of industrial engineering at Purdue University.
Lee earned an industrial engineering degree from Seoul National University and a doctorate from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
The appointment puts a former technology executive in a government role focused on national AI policy.
Kim said he plans to return to academia.
Lee Ji-soo, a former Samsung Electronics executive, has been named South Korea’s new national AI policy secretary.
The Blue House said Lee was chosen to succeed Kim Woo-chang.
Kim retired on November 1 and said he would return to academia.
Lee previously led development of Samsung’s Bixby AI voice assistant.
Lee holds a doctorate in industrial engineering from Georgia Tech.
- Who
- Lee Ji-soo, a former Samsung Electronics executive.
- What
- He was appointed South Korea’s national AI policy secretary.
- When
- The appointment was announced on November 2, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea’s Blue House announced the appointment.
- Why
- He was selected to replace Kim Woo-chang, who retired.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Kim Woo-chang retired from his post as national AI policy secretary.
The Blue House announced Lee Ji-soo’s appointment as Kim’s successor.
- New secretary
- Lee Ji-soo
- Previous secretary
- Kim Woo-chang
- Appointment announced
- November 2, 2026
- Previous employer
- Samsung Electronics
- AI product
- Bixby voice assistant
1 source
What people are saying
I will return to academia.