From 2002 to 2006 has been a productive time for the IT industry in Korea. Korea won the first place on the Digital Opportunity Index from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and was acknowledged to be the leading Information Technology country. Korea has been working towards gaining the title Number One IT Country and each year has been highly progressive for Korea. The wide usage of internet service led to high speed network infrastructure to be built as well as inventing High Definition Multimedia Service (HDMS). The high speed internet service users increased from 1041 in 2002 to 1401 in 2006. Thirty-eight percent of these populations are even using broadband convergence networks, which is fifty times faster than standard high speed networks. The high speed network services are now provided in most rural areas and the usage rate of disabilities had increased by 20% as well. All these factors of the IT industry contributed to an increase of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rate from 11.1% to 16.2% in four years, and contributed further to the growth of the economy. Considering the increase in the amount of export, research and development Centers in fifteen global IT corporations, fast growing Korea Post, and the wide usage of WiBro and DMB service overseas, the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) now seeks for a new vision, Bright Korea, united by Digital Technology.
On February 15, 2007, Vice Minister of MIC Yoo Young-hwan announced the accomplishments for the past four years and the new sets of plans and homework for the upcoming year.
First, the MIC will ease the regulations of telecommunication markets and activate the new service projects to encourage the telecommunication markets. The assortment of infrastructure communication business sectors need to be reformed, marketing in partnership plan needs to be allowed, Internet telephony should be widely promoted, and agendas to confront the fall of the phone subsidies need to be set.
Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) service and Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) service will be spread out all over the states so that all citizens could be promoted to the next generation communication.
Second, MIC will work to create a pleasant culture within Internet services by increasing the restrictions to protect one's privacy. Deliberation criterion procedures will be set for User Created Content (UCC) and mobiles. From upcoming July, Identification Verification Policy will be starting to increase the responsibilities of users whenever they make their comments. The policy will help to verify who made the comments once a corporation or an individual's right is invaded. This will reduce the nightmare of wicked replies, which have been causing hot social issues lately. Any information put on a board that could lead to arguments or defamation of character will be given a warning to eliminate the information within the maximum of thirty days as a temporary management measure. The MIC further will induce i-PIN on portals and game corporations and a self information impact evaluation polity will also be introduced so that the information communication businessmen can analyze and strengthen the danger level of self information. Restriction on charging money on teen used phones will be strengthened, requiring teens to get parental agreements in order to charge money each month. Lastly, the cancellation procedure of High Speed Internet Service will be minimized for the users' convenient.
Third, IT technology will be applied to protect minors of society and to support citizens' lives regarding the safety and markets. Reduction of charges for internet service will be provided for low-class families. The government expects to provide reduction of US$25.80 for 250,000 families.
Location Based Service will be used to provide protection for mental handicaps and walking guide service for blinds. New IT technologies such as Ubiquitous Sensor Networks (USNs) will be put on school zone to protect children. School zone tests will start with five to ten regions and the system will spread out throughout the country regarding to its result. USN will also be used in army basis to reduce the stress of soldiers. The sensor will serve its role as closed-circuit television and be a good companion of soldiers on the base.
The MIC will work with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Republic of Korea to promote u-Agriculture for the benefit of citizens. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and the newest IT technology will be used on livestock. A sensor will be put on the livestock to detect Avian Influenza before its spread and massive destruction. Lastly, u-IT technology is expected to be applied in u-City businesses and the project progressing.
Fourth, the main achievements of the IT839 Policy will be vitalized early and make the IT industry competitive for the upcoming years as well. The MIC will work on WiBro applying technology, imbedded software in aircraft, and all other factors for better future. RFID/USN center will be organized to grow the RFID industry and upgrade the technologies that have been used on robots to provide variety content and price leveled robots for customers to use. Network robot locating and voice detecting functions need to be improved and upgraded robots are planning to serve the country as another export. Induction of WiBro in Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia is now in negotiation and Digital Multimedia Broadcasting service will soon be provided in Canada, Italy, and India. The MIC will also support small and medium sized corporations and organize specialized overseas funds of US$15 million to backup the entry to the abroad markets including China.
Fifth, the MIC will propose the role of IT to fulfill Bright Korea Vision 2030 and ACE IT Strategy.
The Web 2.0 technology standard roadmap will be established and developing Open API will be highly supported to encourage User Created Content. Unification of Broadcast and Communication is still on negotiation and MIC will work to meet a satisfying outcome of a long waiting for Internet Protocol Television (IPTV). Moreover, IT Infrastructure and High Speed Network system in rural areas will be highly encouraged to distribute BcN admission net.
The Korea Postal Service is going for marketing overseas and railroad ticket delivery service will be held for those who use railroad.
With a new set of policies, Korea expects the increase in many economic sectors. The production of the IT Industry will be increased by 5.6% from last year and export rate will increase by 11.8%, leaving Korea as the powerful nation on information.
Vice Minister Yoo young-hwan answered a few questions on the subject.
Q: Is the new i-PIN program is for every user to own
A: That is really up to a user. If the user feels uncomfortable to release their social security number online, he or she may choose to use an i-PIN. The pin number could be used instead of a social security number to create all sorts of accounts and to join the membership on websites. The portal business corporations will be in charge of the expense.
Q: What is the mobile special zone about
A: There was a misunderstanding. We are not trying to establish direct mobile zones, but to run mobile field testing. We had to go to advanced countries like Europe In order for Korea to invent and develop Global Systems for Mobile communication to compete against advanced countries until now. If we build a testing ground in certain areas, we can easily run the field testing in our own country. Samsung is already starting to build the field and LG is in charge of Gasan-dong.
