In a heartwarming display of government support for innovation, South Korea's Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yun-duk spent several days celebrating and championing the country's brightest tech minds at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The massive technology showcase, which has been bringing together innovators since 1967, welcomed more than 140,000 visitors and 4,500 companies from over 160 countries this January. Minister Kim made it his mission to personally visit Korean startups and small businesses, taking time to understand their groundbreaking work in autonomous driving, AI-based safety inspections, and digital twin technology.

Walking through the Tech West pavilion at the Venetian Campus, the Minister toured the K-startup integrated pavilion and Korea pavilion organized by KOTRA, beaming with pride at the technological achievements on display. He didn't stop there. The next day, he explored Tech East at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where he connected with both global giants like Amazon and Qualcomm and beloved Korean corporations including Hyundai Motor and Samsung Electronics.

What makes this visit truly special is Minister Kim's genuine commitment to helping smaller companies thrive. During a special meeting with participating small and medium enterprises and startups, he acknowledged a critical gap in the current system. He recognized that large research and development projects often leave smaller firms struggling to participate and compete.

The Minister made a meaningful promise to change that reality. He announced plans to create new R&D programs specifically designed to provide practical support to small and startup firms in the land and transport field. Even better, he committed to ensuring that companies themselves would have active input in planning and designing these programs, a refreshing approach that puts innovators at the center of policymaking.

The encouraging journey continued in San Francisco, where Minister Kim took time to meet with Korean students studying abroad. He shared updates on international joint research opportunities and genuinely listened to the challenges these young people face while pursuing their dreams far from home.

In an exciting hands-on experience, the Minister test-rode a fully driverless robotaxi operated by Waymo, a leading autonomous driving company. Cruising through actual San Francisco streets with no human driver, he directly experienced the cutting-edge technology that could transform transportation worldwide.

Minister Kim also visited San Francisco International Airport to inspect advanced runway safety systems and exchange knowledge with the Federal Aviation Administration and airport officials.

The Ripple Effect

This visit represents much more than a government official attending a trade show. Minister Kim's commitment to supporting innovation at every level, from celebrating award-winning startups to promising policy changes that will help small companies compete, creates a foundation for sustainable technological growth.

His pledge to promote support programs for early-career researchers and attract outstanding overseas talent shows forward-thinking leadership. By combining the insights gained from visiting autonomous driving companies with plans to improve domestic pilot city operations, South Korea is positioning itself as a global technology leader while ensuring its own citizens and businesses can thrive in an increasingly digital world.

The warmth and attention Minister Kim brought to every interaction, from startup founders to students abroad, demonstrates that innovation flourishes best when supported by leaders who genuinely care about the people behind the technology.