Chin Dae-je Minister of Information and Communication

Mobile, interactive TV means huge lifestyle changes in offing For nearly a decade, Korea's national per capita income has stagnated at the $10,000 level. To breakout from the doldrums that national income per capita has fallen into, the Ministry of Information and Communication, which marked its 10th anniversary Jan. 28, devised the 'IT 839' strategy last year designed to vitalize the information and telecommunication industries. Heading a list of eight new IT services is Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB), the trial launching of which earlier this year has drawn considerable interest at home and abroad. Against such a background, the Korea IT Times is pleased to carry the following excerpts from a written interview with Minister Chin Dae-je of the Ministry of Information and Communication. The Ministry of Information and Communication has adopted DMB as a strategic industry for future economic growth. What led to this decision It is anticipated that the growth potential of DMB will be immense, since we view it as a pioneer technology in which broadcasting and communication services will converge. Also, it is expected that the market for DMB phones and other related terminals would grow to more than $12 billion by 2012. Furthermore, as it is anticipated its ripple effects to supplier industries such as broadcasting equipment and content will be similarly enormous, DMB was designated as a core industry among those we have identified as 'industries of the future'. In contrast to the forecast that the DMB industry will have knock-on effects throughout the broadcasting and communications market, there is also concern that it is a venture industry whose future prospects are uncertain. What do you consider to be the real impact of DMB on domestic industry I believe the launch and operation of DMB services will proceed smoothly in the future because not only because of the global estimation of its growth potential but also because of the enthusiastic participation by broadcasters and mobile telecom operators here in Korea, too. Likewise, a large number of high-tech venture firms are involved in the development of DMB technologies. As a result, it is acting as a new driving force, infusing the economy with vitality. Specifically, it is anticipated that DMB will give the necessary momentum to the domestic mobile telecom market, now approaching a mature phase, to advance to a new level. If DMB service will be available in two forms, satellite and the ground wave, then it seems they can't escape from being in competition with each other. Moreover, the pilot service for mobile Internet service is expected to begin this year. Given these developments, can DMB service ever be profitable in the midst of an economic slump According to a survey on consumer demand for DMB service, it was discovered that a great many people are anticipating its introduction. The industry is expected to grow to where satellite DMB will be developed as a specialized, multi-channel service, whereas terrestrial DMB will be more of a universal service. They are expected to compete with each other on the one hand, and be complementary on the other. Even though there is concern about the success of the new service due to an economic slump, I think the DMB service will take off as Koreans are always keenly interested in new technologies and actively embrace them. It is expected that terrestrial DMB will be adopted as a global standard following its recent adoption as a European standard. Could you explain the significance of this development The adoption of terrestrial DMB as a standard by the World DAB Forum meant that for the first time in its history, the Ministry was able to win recognition of a local broadcasting standard as an international standard. In regard to the broadcasting sector, in particular, Korea has until now unilaterally accommodated foreign-originated technologies despite achieving top place internationally in the field of information and telecommunications. Accordingly, this can be regarded as a breakthrough in that Korea's technologies are now recognized globally in the field of broadcasting. Also, it is anticipated that the local broadcasting industry will be enriched through mutually cooperative relations with their partners overseas. It seems that DMB is a leading topic of conversation in business circles, media, and government as well as among people on street following the successful trial of satellite DMB service early January this year. How will this new technology affect our daily lives In the past, television was regarded as a stationary service to be watched passively in places like the home. However, with the advent of DMB, TV sets cannot only be carried anywhere quite literally in the palm of our hands, we can now interact with them. As a result, it is expected that this would bring tremendous changes in the overall lifestyle of the Korean people. For example, one can watch a TV news broadcast through cellular phones, instead of newspapers, while on subways or buses or even during leisure activities including hiking, fishing and travel, thus making everyday life much more diversified and convenient as well as helping business be done in a more efficient way. What impact do you think DMB service would have on the economy From an economic standpoint, DMB service will greatly contribute to vitalizing the economy by creating new demand in such industries as broadcasting equipment, contents and terminals. As Korea has achieved competitive strength globally in terms of both DMB technology and service, it is expected that this would have enormous effect on the economy including the creation of new jobs.