What is Korea planning to spend on full-stack humanoid robot development through 2030?

Korea plans to spend 2.3 trillion won through 2030 to support domestic full-stack humanoid robot development. The plan was unveiled by the Ministry of Planning and Budget before next year’s budget announcement.

Why is Korea investing in humanoid robots and physical AI now?

The government says the move responds to intensifying global competition driven by the AI boom and a market shift toward physical AI and humanoid robots. It also wants to improve domestic competitiveness by raising the localization rate of key components.

What specific humanoid robot targets did the government set through 2031?

The government aims to establish mass-production systems for humanoid robots tailored to 10 major industries and raise localization of key components from 45 percent to 80 percent. It also aims to complete full-stack humanoid technology by 2031, including a homegrown robot operating system.

Korea to spend $1.66 bil. won through 2030 on full-stack humanoid development

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Summary

Korea plans to spend 2.3 trillion won through 2030 to support domestic full-stack humanoid robot development amid rising global competition in physical AI. The Ministry of Planning and Budget unveiled the plan ahead of next year’s budget announcement. The government will begin with a proposed 600 billion won next year, raise localization of key parts from 45 percent to 80 percent, and aim to complete full-stack humanoid technology by 2031.

Key Facts

The government plans to buy 250 domestically developed humanoid robots in 2027 and 1,080 by 2030 for universities and state-funded research institutes.
Including non-humanoid robots such as four-legged models, the government plans to purchase around 5,000 robots through 2030.
The plan includes support for actuators, robotic hands and sensors, as well as high-performance AI chips and batteries for humanoid robots.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 27, 2026 11:21 am KST

Atlas humanoid robots move inside Hyundai Motor Group’s exhibition booth during the Consumer Electronics Show 2026 in Las Vegas, Jan. 6. Yonhap

Korea plans to spend 2.3 trillion won ($1.66 billion) through 2030 to support the domestic development of full-stack humanoid robots amid intensifying global competition driven by the artificial intelligence (AI) boom.

The Ministry of Planning and Budget unveiled the plan ahead of the government's announcement of next year's budget, as the global AI market shifts toward physical AI and humanoid robots.

Beginning with a proposed budget of 600 billion won for next year, the government aims to establish mass-production systems for humanoid robots tailored to 10 major industries and raise the localization rate of key components from the current 45 percent to 80 percent.

The government will purchase 250 domestically developed humanoid robots in 2027 and a total of 1,080 through 2030 for distribution to universities and state-funded research institutes.

Including non-humanoid robots, such as four-legged models, the government plans to purchase around 5,000 robots through 2030.

The government will support the development of three key components in which Korea lacks competitiveness — actuators, robotic hands and sensors — along with high-performance AI chips and batteries for humanoid robots.

Korea aims to complete its full-stack humanoid technology by 2031, including the development of a homegrown robot operating system, the ministry added.

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