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South Korea ranked 10th among 70 countries in the 2026 World Digital and AI Competitiveness Ranking (WDAIR) by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), climbing eight spots from last year, the science ministry said Wednesday. The U.S. took first place, Singapore second in Asia-Pacific, China seventh, and Japan 19th. Korea ranked third in Asia-Pacific and third in technology infrastructure and efficiency, but governance and talent development stayed in the 20s, with the ability to secure high-level talent in the lower ranks. GDP-proportional R&D spending ranked first. Korean media highlighted the rise, with Chosun Ilbo noting the governance and workforce gaps, and Dong-A Ilbo pointing out weak talent acquisition and data-leak response.