Promoting future 'Ubiquitous World' An exciting international exhibition, specially designed to show the latest technologies of Korea in the field of information and telecommunications, will be staged for the leaders from 21 APEC member nations during the APEC 2005 summit to be held in Busan on November 12-19. The Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) said that the APEC 2005 IT Exhibition, the first of its kind to be held at an APEC summit, will allow government and business leaders from APEC countries to see and experience the cutting-edge technologies that reflect today's trend of convergence between broadcasting and telecommunications. The APEC summit, which was launched with the purpose of improving economic and political ties among a group of Pacific Rim countries, has grown to promote cooperation in various fields of industries and become closely linked with the private sector. Moreover, it has become an invaluable forum for elevating the image of a host nation as well as a hosting city. This year's APEC summit in Busan, too, seems to be no exception to the rule. In a move to boost Korea's image as an IT powerhouse, the government plans to offer "ubiquitous services," through which participants to the summit can freely experience satellite DMB and WiBro services, the areas in which the government said Korea stands at the forefront in the world of telecommunications as a whole. In addition, the government plans to show futuristic lifestyles the benefits of digital technologies would bring at the BEXCO convention center during the exhibition to be held from November 15 to 21. "During the APEC summit, the convention center and its vicinities will be transformed into a "ubiquitous world," along with the participation of leading IT companies such as Samsung, LG, KT and SKT," said an official at MIC. Korea's DMB & WiBro Services Attracting Global Interest In the midst of the growing attention on what Korea can offer in the IT sector during the APEC 2005 IT Exhibition, the Korea IT Times interviewed Dr. Yang Seung-taik, the chairman of the Organizing Committee of APEC 2005 IT Exhibition. Chairman Yang, who concurrently serves as the president of Tongmyong University in Busan, is labeled as the man who has inspired "IT mind" in all echelons of the Korean people, including the young and old. The following are excerpts from the interview: * What is the main theme of the IT exhibition at this year's APEC summit How does it differ from previous ones In contrast to any previous exhibitions at the APEC summit, this year's exhibition will be held in conjunction with other auxiliary events, like opening events and dinner banquets. This is because our focal point of display is to get APEC leaders spontaneously interested in the VIP lounge surroundings, instead of watching displays in a tedious manner as in other ordinary exhibitions. During evening banquets, for example, the heads of state will be arriving at twominute intervals at the Center in such a way that they can freely show their interest in the displayed contents during that lapse period. The exhibition to be held in this manner is the first such initiative ever at an APEC summit. Moreover, the world leaders can experience Ubiquitous Korea, the innovative lifestyles of tomorrow display that include satellite DMB and WiBro services, and other configurations, including sculptures, that show Korean traditions as well as its natural beauty. In addition to the displays at the exhibition hall, we have set up a "Digital Garden" and paneled screennd large size PDPs at different locations of the convention center to run the imagery related to the IT industry in Korea. In this way, I anticipate that APEC participants will experience digital technologies of Korea and its traditional culture through the digital screens and other frames. How would you rate the chances of Korea joining in overseas projects related with multimedia services such as WiBro and satellite DMB What advice or suggestions can you give to expedite their future growth WiBro is a post-generation (3G) mobile communication technology. If my understanding holds true, the British Telecom and KDDI Japan both have shown their interest in commercializing the WiBro technology that ETRI and Samsung have developed. Moreover, I've heard that there are ongoing discussions for technological transfers, along with product supplies, with Vodafone of the U.K. and telecom providers in the United States and Australia. I expect that the homegrown WiBro technology can open overseas markets in the not too distant future. Telecom and network service providers in other regions, such as China and Southeast Asia, have also asked for either technological alliances or strategic partnership with WiBro related equipment manufacturers in the nation. Likewise, Korea's first commercial service of WiBro is attracting much attention from major telecom operators around the world. In such surroundings, I think WiBro's advancement into overseas markets is anticipated to gain further momentum. It is, however, essential to provide tailor- made service by catching any changes in customer needs with accurate market assessment for the success of WiBro service. Furthermore, we have to consider the need for service linkage with other industries in addition to the telecom and broadcasting industries. The cooperative relationship with other industries is required as the WiBro service has to exist as a telecom service that contributes to the national economy other than the productivity of the business itself. From a long-term point of view, there has to be the revamping of related laws and regulations under today's trend of convergence between telecom and broadcasting. DMB is much anticipated to have its trial service in Germany during the World Cup football games in 2006. What are the future prospects for DMB to be utilized in overseas markets I think it will be a good opportunity for Korea to boost its image in the hightech wireless field if the test broadcasting using the latest DMB technologies is realized during the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Aside from this, a WiBro trial system is scheduled to be demonstrated during the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy. I've heard that Telecom Italia Mobile has agreed with Samsung Electronics to use Samsung's technologies to build the system in this regard. When Samsung's WiBro terminal is displayed during the Turin Winter Games, it will attract much attention from the telecom industries around the world. For some time, the motto of Tongmyong University has been 'Global IT Brain' with a purpose to foster creative human resource that are coveted by leading IT companies around the world. Could you introduce, if there is any, what role Tongmyong has played or intends to play on the occasion of the APEC summit in Busan In order to draw attention from students and Busan citizens alike on IT-related events on the occasion of the APEC summit, and heighten public awareness of science and technology in general, we have made a plan to invite worldrenowned scientists for their relay lectures that already kicked off early September. In addition, an online community launched by Tongmyong students is preparing a youth culture festival, together with hundreds of high school and college students around the nation, with an aim to show, and take part in, the multifaceted youth cultures of younger generations of Busan, 'the city of science and culture', and 'IT Korea' as an auxiliary event of the APEC summit. Above all, we at Tongmyong are striving to ensure that Tongmyong, with its strength in the IT field, can take its firm place on the world scene.