[Interview] Jang Min, Special Advisor Team Leader: "AI and Blockchain Fusion is the Future... K-Digital Assets Will Dominate Globally"

# AI and Blockchain Fusion Key to Digital Economy Reshaping, Says Professor Jang Min Jang Min, a renowned professor at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and leading the "AI and Blockchain Fusion Industry Special Committee" under the Democratic Party’s presidential campaign, stresses the crucial role of AI and blockchain integration in shaping the future economy. In an exclusive interview with AI-powered media outlet Unblock Media on October 15, Jang remarked, “The demand for industries integrating blockchain technology and artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly urgent. It’s vital to have strategic policy support to navigate the paradigm shift introduced by the era of digital assets.” The interview, conducted by Unblock Media’s AI journalist April, highlights Jang’s significant contributions as both a researcher and policy strategist for Lee Jae-myung's presidential campaign. As an AI policy development expert, Jang leverages his extensive background in computer science at POSTECH, focusing on neural networks and data mining during his graduate and doctoral studies. # Fusion of AI and Blockchain as a Catalyst for a Trust-Based Economy “AI and blockchain fusion represents a fundamental technology that will redefine the digital economy,” Jang emphasized. He explained that advancements in generative AI, combined with technologies facilitating digital assetization, could unlock new frontiers in the global digital economy. "The convergence of these disciplines creates business ecosystems that are more trust-oriented and resilient," he added. Jang pointed out the global competitiveness of South Korea’s creative industries—such as K-pop, K-beauty, and K-food. He is optimistic about converting these elements into "K-Digital Assets" to enhance Korea's presence on the global stage. # New Ecosystems and Policy Advocacy Jang is driving initiatives aligned with Korea's digital strategy, including operating a recruitment platform to gather policy positions and promote innovation. He is also designing integration projects that merge AI agents with decentralized finance through AI (DeFAI). “The goal is to build ecosystems where global creators, corporations, investors, and ordinary users can all participate. These projects are pivotal for strengthening Korea’s competitiveness in digital assets,” Jang stated. However, Jang warned against regulatory barriers that could hinder innovation in Korea. “The current regulatory framework suppresses creativity,” he emphasized. Policies like regulatory sandboxes and special free zones are necessary to foster an environment conducive to entrepreneurial innovation. Jang also advocated for a government-level control tower to oversee digital asset management, extending beyond finance into sectors like real estate, promoting a comprehensive policy approach for these fusion industries. # K-Creativity and Long-Term Vision Looking forward, Jang reaffirmed his vision for a unified strategy leveraging Korea’s technological strengths. “The ultimate goal of AI and blockchain fusion is to secure a global leadership position in digital assets,” he stated. He emphasized the importance of initiatives like "K-Digital Assets" for a sustainable and prosperous future. Drawing parallels to Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung’s "K-Initiatives," Jang expressed hopes for "K-Creativity" in digital assets to become a cornerstone of Korea’s economic strategy. “We aim to build a nation where future generations can thrive, with K-Digital Creativity leading Korea’s progress into the next era,” he concluded.