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Han Duck-soo, acting president and prime minister, presides over a policy coordination meeting with related ministers at the government complex in Seoul on April 24. / Source: Presidential Office Press Corps

Han Duck-soo, acting president and prime minister, pledged on April 24 to actively invest in and promote Korea’s animation sector by creating a dedicated fund and enhancing overseas expansion efforts. He also announced a new strategy to revolutionize maritime navigation systems through cutting-edge digital technologies.

Speaking at a policy coordination meeting at the government complex in Seoul, Han said, “We will establish an animation-focused investment fund to support related SMEs and startups, while also promoting investment from OTT platforms, broadcasters, and venture capital firms.”

He emphasized the government’s plan to foster animation as a new growth engine for K-content, noting that the industry has "immense potential to branch into a wide range of sectors including film, games, tourism, character merchandising, and theme parks."

To support Korean animation’s global reach, Han said the government will carry out integrated marketing campaigns via major social media platforms and Korean cultural centers abroad. It will also assist with dubbing and subtitling efforts tailored to local cultures. “We’ll support the development of relevant technologies so that AI and other new tech can be incorporated into animation production, while also building a structured ecosystem to train specialized professionals,” he added.

“Korea has already demonstrated its cultural capabilities through the global Korean Wave,” Han said. “We will provide full government support so that this cultural power leads to the rise of globally competitive K-animation.”

He called on the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and other agencies to “actively identify additional improvements to ensure that creators and companies in the animation industry can work freely and creatively.”

On the subject of maritime navigation, Han unveiled the government’s new “Maritime Navigation Information System Innovation Strategy” in response to the emergence of advanced mobility and the digitization of navigational data.

He promised to commercialize a "high-precision positioning service" that reduces the current GPS error margin from 10 meters to under 5 centimeters—among the world’s most accurate standards. This technology will be used to support advanced sectors such as autonomous navigation.

“We plan to combine advanced ICT technologies with sea buoys and markers to collect and provide diverse maritime data, enhancing navigational safety,” he said, adding, “We will also pursue international standardization of Korea’s superior navigational information technologies to revitalize the industry.”