President Lee Myung-bak finally decided to select a special presidential assistant for IT, even though some aides have expressed negative opinions about the move. This signals a radical change in the administration’s IT policies. Most important is the fact that the president himself ordered Cheong Wa Dae to create the office.
The president held a session last month with IT leaders to hear about their difficulties. They complained that there is no central government control, but that the IT industry is regulated by several different authorities which have different agendas. After the session Lee said that the idea of a special aide for IT should be investigated.
Until last year, actually, President Lee had a negative opinion of the IT field. While working with the presidential transition committee he said: “IT industry removes jobs, and the gulf between the rich and the poor is growing in an information-oriented society.”
An official explained further: “In fact, until last year we couldn’t use the term IT – it was kind of a taboo. We used to try hard to find substitute terms.” Recently, however, Lee’s attitude towards IT has totally changed. Other dignitaries have repeatedly praised the Korean IT industry during Lee’s overseas trips. Also, domestic IT companies perform well in exports even though the global economy is doing badly. These factors may have influenced him a lot.
In March, the presidential national brand committee conducted a survey of foreigners asking them what impressed them the most about Korea. They replied that Korean IT impressed them the most. In addition, when John Chambers, Chairman and CEO of Cisco Systems Inc., insisted on the importance of IT in the green technology field in a recent meeting with President Lee, Lee agreed.
The president still places heavy emphasis on Green Growth and the Human New Deal. After the special aide assistant for IT is selected, the IT field will be systematically supported by the government.
