​



 

Kwangwoon Alumnus Dr. Kyung-Hoon Bae(Class of 2001) Joins the Top National Leadership​ 

September 30, 2025,​ Bae Kyung-hoon, an alumnus of Kwangwoon University’s Department of Electronic Physics (Class of ’96), who was appointed Minister of Science and ICT by the Lee Jae-myung administration in July, has now also assumed the role of Deputy Prime Minister as of September 30, 2025, following revisions to the Government Organization Act. With the Ministry of Science and ICT elevated to a deputy prime minister–level office overseeing national science, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) policy, Minister Bae becomes the inaugural Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for Science and ICT.

Under this reform, the Ministry will strengthen its role as the control tower for cross-ministerial science and AI policy. Granted the authority to coordinate and direct central administrative agencies under the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Bae will take a central leadership position in shaping and aligning Korea’s national AI strategy.

Bae is widely regarded as one of Korea’s leading AI experts, having spearheaded the development of the super-scale AI model EXAONE. As the founding head of LG AI Research, he played a key role in elevating the competitiveness of Korea’s AI industry. His extensive experience across research, policy, and industry positions him as a symbolic figure representing the government’s commitment to advancing an AI-driven national strategy.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in Electronic Physics, and both his master’s and doctoral degrees in Electronic Engineering at Kwangwoon University, later completing an MBA at Columbia Southern University in the United States. After working in technology development at Samsung Thales and SK Telecom’s Future Technology Institute, he joined the LG Group in 2016, contributing to AI and big data strategy at LG Economic Research Institute, LG Uplus, and LG Electronics.

In 2020, he became the first head of LG AI Research, overseeing the development of EXAONE 1.0 through 3.5, expanding global partnerships, strengthening collaboration with domestic companies, and enhancing software competitiveness. His contributions were recognized with the Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit.

He currently serves as a full member of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea, a civilian member of the Presidential National AI Committee, and Chair of AI Policy Cooperation at the Korea Software Industry Association (KOSA).

Deputy Prime Minister Bae stated, “This organizational reform is not merely a structural change in government—it is a catalyst for national transformation driven by science, technology, and AI. As Deputy Prime Minister, I am committed to building an ‘AI-enabled society’ where all citizens benefit from AI, and ensuring that Korea firmly establishes itself as a global AI leader.”