MOLIT Vice Minister Kim Yi-tak: “We will swiftly establish legal and institutional foundations for construction robots” ... Supporting the wider adoption of physical AI

[Financial News] Kim Yi-tak, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said on the 20th, “We will swiftly establish the legal and institutional foundations to support the construction robot industry and work to address difficulties in contracting, operations and management.”
Kim made the remarks while explaining the government’s policy direction for expanding the use of construction robots on worksites and innovating the construction industry through physical AI at the launch ceremony for the Construction Robotics Innovation Forum, held that day at Ferrum Tower in Seoul.
Kim stressed, “Physical AI is opening up new possibilities for the construction industry and will transform it into a safer and more sustainable industry.” He added, “To accelerate the realization of physical AI in the construction industry, the government is working to build an industrial ecosystem spanning technology development, talent training, industry promotion and overseas expansion.”
The government is pursuing its first support program for construction robots at construction sites. It plans to improve the systems and business conditions needed to support their adoption on-site, linking the results of technology development to practical use.
Launched that day, the forum is a collaboration framework bringing together the private sector, government, industry, academia and research institutions to promote construction robots. Through three divisions—policy and institutions, technology and safety, and industry and data—it will identify initiatives to support safe on-site adoption and accelerate commercialization, and discuss policy directions.
Kim added, “Construction sites are the starting point for housing supply, large-scale national projects and infrastructure development for balanced regional growth.” He said, “I hope the Construction Robotics Innovation Forum will become a platform for practical cooperation to introduce construction robots and realize physical AI, so that the achievements of construction robots can strengthen South Korea’s competitiveness beyond the construction industry.”
[email protected] Choi Ga-young Reporter