"Korea's Information Technology Changing the World; Come and Experience our Advanced IT in Busan." As the APEC summit meeting is fast approaching, scheduled to be held from November 12 to 19 in Korea's No.1 port city Busan, Korea s leading IT companies, including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and Korea Telecom are stepping up their preparations. About 6,500 visitors including presidents of the 21 member economies, economic and trade ministers and businesspersons are expected to participate in this event. And numerous foreign news reporters will disseminate APEC-related news all over the world. Korea is trying to use this APEC meeting as the best opportunity to make a show of its IT technology. Both Public and Private Sectors United for Successful APEC Meeting Both public and private sectors are busy preparing for THE APEC meeting. Busan has established an emergency medical support team. Busan YMCA has been appointed an emergency medical support team during the period of THE APEC meeting. In September 12, Busan held an inauguration ceremony for the team with attendance of the Minister of Health and Welfare, while making a pledge to provide a speedy and efficient medical service. Conference Venue for 2nd Summit Meeting Completed The conference venue for the 2nd summit meeting, "Nurimaru," which is located on Dongbak Island off Haeundae Beach, is one of the key facilities for APEC meeting. This "Nurimaru" APEC venue has been completed this month. About APEC The foundation of APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) was initiated by the Australian government in 1989 in an effort to establish a formal organization for mutual cooperation between nations located in the Asia and Pacific region. And its first cabinet-level meeting was held in Canberra, Australia. Initially, APEC was founded with 12 membership nations including Australia, Korea, USA, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and six Asian nations. In 1993, the first APEC summit was held in Seattle, U.S.A. and this year's in Busan is the 13th meeting. Now, the APEC meeting has been established as a top-level forum for policy cooperation and regional economies. As of now, APEC accounts for 57 percent of the world's GNP, and 45.8 percent of the world's trade, and 21 nations including the United States, China, Japan, and Russia, are participating in this meeting as membership. The 13th APEC meeting has been induced into Busan, and this event will provide a good opportunity to introduce Korea s democratic and open society to the world, while showcasing IT Korea. IT Industry PR IT Industry PR contents for APEC Meeting In order to raise the national brand and strengthen industrial competitiveness through IT industry PR during the 13th APEC meeting period, both public and private sectors are preparing to establish an IT exhibition hall, providing the opportunity of experiencing IT service such as satellite DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) and Wibro (portable wireless Internet), and also establishing many imaginative and beautiful IT creations, including a digital garden and a digital lake. 3rd IT Exhibition Steering Committee Meeting On September 9, the 3rd IT exhibition steering committee meeting was held at the conference room of the MIC (Ministry of Information and Communication). At the meeting the basic IT industry PR plan was reported, along with the presentation of Theme Halls and Corporate Halls. The committee has also checked the progress situation and future implementation strategy. The committee was organized last May as an advisory body for the establishment of an IT exhibition hall, and Yang Seong-Taek, the president of Dongmyong University (former MIC minister), is assuming the chair. Also, the committee has reviewed the establishment of a VIP Lounge, the location and area size of each booth, confirming the regulations on exhibition operation. In addition, the progress report on the seven Theme Halls of government ministries, four Corporate Halls, and one Highlight Zone has been completed. The plan for satellite DMB and Wibro for IT experience service was also reported. Meanwhile, MIC is preparing a 2005 APEC IT Korea Homepage (provisional name) to publicize the IT exhibition and IT experience service. This homepage is to contain a variety of information including the guide on each booth, PR animation of related companies. MIC is asking all the related ministries and companies to participate actively in its effort to publicize IT Korea. Government and Enterprises Work Together for IT Exhibition The IT exhibition is composed of eight governments theme halls (including infocommunication highlight zone) and four corporate halls. Among the eightgovernment theme halls are the Info- Communication Highlight Zone representing a warm digital world along with the overview of past, present, and future, the Robot Hall showing diverse performance of robots like the greeting and dancing of human robots, and the U-Port Hall demonstrating the ubiquitous technology of Busan port logistics system. In addition to these halls, the four corporate halls - Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Korea Telecom, and SK Telecom - are also featured. In particular, this IT exhibition is liked with the toplevel officials' gala dinner. Because of this, unlike the typical exhibition, this exhibition is mixed with IT experiences, sights, and rest, while setting up a VIP Lounge. IT Experience to Showcase IT Korea IT Industry PR is not confined to the IT exhibition. Busan is preparing a satellite DMB and Wibro experience service for presidents, high-ranking officials, CEOs, and many journalists at home and abroad during the APEC period, so that they may experience Korea's advanced IT technology and services. To this end, about 500 terminals will be provided, and English language APEC news, tailor-made contents in English, and PR animation of each membership nation are also available. Wibro Experience Service Wibro is an Internet service through PDA notebook and tablet PC, which is available on the move at a speed of 60 km per hour in the vicinity of the APEC meeting or its vicinity. In addition to portable wireless Internet service, Wibro is to provide APEC meeting-related news on a real time basis and information on Busan city and BEXCO. Also in cooperation with participating nations, each nation's PR animation and government-run broadcasting will be relayed. Satellite DMB Experience Service During the APEC period, satellite DMB terminals will be given to the APEC-related officials and journalists so that they can personally experience the satellite DMB. Considering that the users of this experience service are mostly foreign visitors, one video and audio channel in English besides the existing DMB channels will be provided. Furthermore, to strengthen the English, content, Arirang TV is specially producing and compiling the APEC news, talk show for APEC meeting participants or government delegates, a Korean show, and membership nations-related news. Also, adding APEC news in English to the existing channel, provision of SMS service, and compilation of foreign movies are being prepared for foreign visitors.