South Korea signs letter of intent with 6 UN agencies to host AI hub

ISTANBUL

South Korea has signed a letter of intent with six UN agencies to host an AI hub in the country, the prime minister's office said Wednesday.

The signing ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who has been on a two-nation tour of the US and Switzerland to promote the country's bid to host the AI hub, according to Yonhap news agency.

The government has described the hub as a platform that would bring together UN bodies along with South Korea's public and private sectors to develop AI-based solutions to global challenges.

Kim held meetings with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and other agency chiefs in New York.

He met International Labor Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert Houngbo, International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director-General Amy Pope and World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Geneva.

During the meetings, Kim explained Seoul's intention to "help developing countries and vulnerable groups through global cooperation in AI," according to his office.

The three agency chiefs expressed support for South Korea’s initiative and agreed to maintain communication on the details.

Kim plans to explain the project and the outcome of his trip next Tuesday after returning home.