Prime Minister Han Seong-sook announced on July 9, 2026 that the government will expand its trial On-AI work platform to all 47 central government agencies by the end of the year. The move aims to strip away repetitive tasks from civil servants' daily workloads so they can focus on policy and public service improvements.
On-AI system rollout across central agencies
The On-AI system, an AI-driven work platform, has been running in four ministries on a trial basis since April. Han said the expansion will reach every central agency before 2027. The government also plans to release 100 types of core public data for AI-based applications, making datasets available for service design and decision-making across departments.
"We will focus on cutting down on simple and repetitive work through AI to create an environment where civil servants can concentrate more on essential tasks to improve people's lives," Han said during a national policy coordination meeting.
Toward a people-centered AI government
Han's office described the broader ambition as a transition to a "people-centered AI government," where AI helps deliver welfare services tailored to individuals. The goal is an administration that leaves no blind spots - a "warm and inclusive" model, the office said, with specific projects to be determined soon.
"AI is no longer just the domain for technology or industry. It demands us to change the way we work and live. The government is going to transform itself in line with these changes," Han said. "The AI democratic government we aim for is a capable and kind government befitting the AI era."
Other meeting topics: disaster response and aviation safety
Officials also discussed measures to minimize damage from heavy rains, including stronger patrols in high-risk zones and preemptive access controls. Separately, preparations are underway for an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety assessment scheduled for December - South Korea's first such evaluation in 18 years. In 2008, the country ranked first globally with a 98.89% implementation rate of international safety standards.
Why this matters for government professionals
Civil servants will see a shift away from routine paperwork toward more strategic, citizen-facing work. The On-AI rollout signals that familiarity with AI-assisted workflows will become a baseline expectation, not a specialty. The push reflects a broader AI for Government trend where agencies are expected to use internal data more actively and redesign processes around machine-speed support. For those in central agencies, the coming months will bring new tools and training requirements - and a chance to shape how AI gets embedded in public service delivery before the model spreads to local governments.
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