Korea aims to lead the global information society IT Korea's role in APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) is based on the fact that Korea wants to be an integral part of the global information society through strengthened international cooperation. Korea's ambitions are no better expressed than in 'Broadband IT Korea Vision 2007,' which outlines how Korea is striving to establish the country's position as an IT hub country in Northeast Asia. The Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) officials contend that it will do so by forging a cooperative system to create an information culture in the region and mediate its exchanges. Thereby, Korea is also expected to take a leadership role to spreading e-culture throughout the world by participating in the building of IT infrastructure across the globe. In the meantime, Korea will help digitally-deprived countries adopt IT through various channels and narrow the digital divide, MIC officials pledge. As the world watches its rapid progress, the Korean government is developing new growth engines in the IT sector such as next-generation mobile communications, displays, digital TVs, home networks, next-generation semiconductors, nextgeneration batteries, embedded software, digital contents, intelligent robots, and next-generation PCs, providing the basis for new growth engines by virtue of 'the so-called IT839 strategy'. Concurrently, it is expected to create an environment for users to enjoy seamless high-quality multimedia services at any place and any time by rolling out the 50~100Mbps BcN that combines fixed, wireless and broadcasting networks. IT839 embodying Ubiquitous society Under the leadership of the MIC, Korea has witnessed major milestones in the IT sector, such as development of TDX in the 1980s, CDMA innovation in the 1990s and high-speed Internet connections in the 2000s. These achievements have solidified Korea's image as an IT powerhouse. In order to position itself as a global leader in the IT sector, Korea has laid the groundwork for revolutionary information and communication services by devising and implementing the IT839 policy. The IT839 policy is a next-generation IT strategy encompassing eight new services, including WiBro, three infrastructures and nine new economic growth engines. Participants at the APEC 2005 Busan Summit will experience first-hand these achievements, but Korea is poised to become the first nation in the world to provide WiBro (Wireless Broadband) service allowing the users to have access to high-speed Internet connections while on the move. Director-General Noh Young-kyu, responsible for WiBro service at MIC, Ubiquitous APEC 2005 TFT, explains that efforts are well under way to launch the service on a commercial scale early next year. As part of the APEC 2005 Summit in Busan, the APEC 2005 IT Exhibition is to be held in BEXCO (Hall 2 on the 1st floor) from Nov. 15, 2005 (Tues.) through Nov. 21, 2005 (Mon.) hosted by MIC, to provide an overview of the past, present and future of a Humane and Equitable IT Digital World. Covering a total area of about 6,000m2, this exhibition hall consists of a Theme Section including highlight zone, robot section, e-Learning, e-health, U-port, cultural content, e-Government and e- Trade. There is also an Enterprise Section, including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, KT, SK Telecom and free trial service such as WiBro as well as Satellite DMB (digital multimedia broadcasting). WiBro & satellite DMB drawing attention What is drawing widespread attention is Korea's free trial services on offer, such as WiBro and Satellite DMB. As an official communication service provider, KT is giving a demonstration of WiBro service for the first time in the world during the APEC 2005. According to a KT spokesman, press members will have an opportunity to have free access to WiBro service via laptop, WiBro handset or tablet PC equipped with PCMCIA card at and around the BEXCO and Haeundae Beach. The service includes Wonder-Eye (customized Wi-View), Wonder-Media (P2P and P2W video service), Wonder- Message (u-Post service), Wonder-Tour (Cyber City), Wonder-Phone(VoIP service) and Wonder-Net (wireless highspeed Internet connections). WiBro is a wireless high-speed Internet connection service developed in Korea for the first time in the world. WiBro combines the strengths of wireline highspeed Internet connections such as high data rates, low cost and stable connection with the mobility of wireless Internet connections. KT's WiBro service allows the user to have the same low-cost access to the Internet as the wireline Internet connections while on the move anywhere, anytime. Satellite DMB, on one hand, is a brandnew multimedia mobile broadcasting service forging communication and broadcasting together. This satellite DMB service allows the user to have access to multi-channel multimedia broadcasting such as TV and radio programs and data service anywhere, anytime via portable or in-car handset. IT839 Strategy for Ubiquitous Society For the success in IT diffusion, it is important to study the strategic way of leveraging IT. Ultimately, the essence of IT diffusion lies in giving equal digital opportunities to all members of global society. In that respect, collaboration tasks between countries come to the fore. For such collaborations between nations, the Korean government's IT 839 Strategy is being assessed as a model to address new IT technology, service as well as industry environment for the sake of Ubiquitous society embodiment as a growth engine of the world economy. In a word, MIC officials are eager to show through the APEC 2005 Summit the features that the IT839 Strategy promotes industrial and economic development; seeks to bring down the walls between regions, classes and generations; and improves the quality of life for all people. APEC was established to promote economic growth and joint prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region. The purpose of APEC is to contribute to overcoming economic, social and cultural differences among Member Economies and to continued economic growth in the region, thereby to ultimately establish an economic community in the Asia-Pacific region. In order to achieve this goal, APEC is concentrating on 'Trade and Investment Liberalization and Facilitation' (TILF) and 'Economic and Technical Cooperation' (ECOTECH)' activities. Korea joined APEC as one of its 12 founding Member Economies when APEC was first established in 1989. Recognizing the importance of the IT field, Korea has been hosting various APEC IT-related meetings whilst actively participating in many APEC activities, including the 1st APEC Ministerial Meeting on Telecommunication in 1995 and the 2nd APEC Minister's Conference on Regional Science and Technology Cooperation in 1996. Approximately, 20-30 APEC-related meetings and events, including the annual Economic Leaders' Meeting and ministerial meeting, will be held throughout Korea in 2005. Among a raft of APEC-associated meetings, APEC IT meetings will be the object of the hottest interest.