"The Korean machinery industry has a high acceptance of software technology, and the artificial intelligence transformation (AX) will become a turning point that shakes up the global competitive landscape."
Kim Won-jong, Chairman of the Korea Machine Tool Manufacturers' Association (CEO of DN Solutions), stated this at a press conference for 'Seoul International Manufacturing Technology Show (SIMTOS) 2026,' which opened on the 13th at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, saying "Changes in the machinery industry are moving beyond digital transformation (DX) and entering the AX stage."
Chairman Kim suggested that the domestic machine tool industry must innovate into platform and intelligence-based industries to secure competitiveness. He explained, "Future machine tools will evolve beyond simple cutting equipment into 'physical AI execution platforms' where artificial intelligence (AI) judgments are physically implemented," adding, "This is a structure where AI serves as the brain and machine tools perform processing, measurement, and calibration as the body." He argued that at this stage where the machine tool industry is advancing into cutting-edge convergence fields combined with software, new technologies at the physical AI level must be actively adopted.
He also emphasized that machine tools are a core element that determines technological sovereignty and supply chain security in advanced industries such as semiconductors, aerospace, and defense. Chairman Kim explained, "For Korea to maintain its status as a manufacturing powerhouse and respond to the AI era, healthy growth of the machine tool industry is essential." He added, "The reason major developed countries are strengthening export regulations on advanced machine tools is because high-precision machining equipment plays an irreplaceable role in strategic industries."
Korea has also recognized this importance by including ultra-precision machining technology in core strategic technologies for materials, parts, and equipment, and has designated multi-axis complex machining turning centers and high-precision 5-axis machining centers as national core technologies alongside semiconductors, displays, and automobiles for management.
Chairman Kim viewed the AX trend rapidly unfolding around AI data centers and humanoids as a great opportunity for the domestic machinery industry. He said, "Korean companies have risen to similar levels (with leading companies) in hardware technology, and their acceptance of new technologies in software is also very high," adding, "If we expand the related industrial ecosystem through AX demand, we can create an opportunity to significantly shake up the market itself."
He also called for support measures to respond to Chinese companies that are rapidly catching up technologically. Chairman Kim emphasized, "Rather than some tax support, support that can offset investment risks associated with technology development to some extent would help with challenge and innovation." He also stressed the need for human resource development and support for regional areas, as most machine tool companies are based in local regions.
'SIMTOS 2026,' running from this day through the 17th, is the nation's largest manufacturing-based industrial exhibition, and this year is being held under the theme 'AI Autonomous Manufacturing, Connecting with Talent.' A total of approximately 1,300 companies from 35 countries worldwide are participating to showcase the latest technologies in machining equipment, production facilities, and robotics and automation. A job fair 'Career Connect in SIMTOS' with approximately 35 participating companies will also be operated during the exhibition period.