South Korea opens military AI centre in Pangyo

South Korea’s defence ministry opened its first military AI transformation centre in Pangyo on October 12, aiming to connect civilian technology with military needs.

About 150 people attended the Army centre’s opening south of Seoul, including representatives of the science and industry ministries, according to the defence ministry.

The centre will collect data for physical AI and use models to train humanoid and multi-legged robots. Planned applications include carrying supplies into hazardous areas, handling explosive ordnance and clearing land mines.

The ministry presents those uses as a way to improve operational efficiency and reduce soldiers’ exposure to danger. They are intended applications of the programme, rather than evidence that the new centre has already deployed robots on such missions.

The wider plan calls for five AI transformation centres involving the military services and Joint Chiefs of Staff. A Joint Chiefs centre is planned for Seoul’s Yongsan district.