The Ministry of Science and ICT (“MSIT”; Minister Lee Jong-Ho) informed that in the eighth emergency economic meeting chaired by President Yoon Suk-yeol, held on September 28 in the Kimdaejung Convention Center located in Gwangju, “the Digital Strategy of Korea” was announced.
“The Digital Strategy of Korea” is the plan to specifically implement the New York Initiative* announced on September 21 by President Yoon Suk-yeol. It is a representative strategy for leading national digital policy of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, and also a pan-government strategy to become a best practice country in digital innovation and take a leap forward as a leading country in the digital era, rather than staying stagnant as a fast-follower.
* President Yoon Suk-yeol took part in the Digital Vision Forum hosted in New York University on September 21, and in his keynote address titled, “Solidarity for the Freedom of Digital Citizens,“ proposed a new digital order for realizing the future outlook for Korea’s digital innovation and preserving universal values of humanity, which are freedom, human rights and solidarity.
The main contents of “the Digital Strategy of Korea” announced on that day is as follows.
Current progress, vision & goal
Under this strategy, the future outlook for Digital Korea, which sets an example for the world, together with its citizens has been highlighted, and the specific goals for enabling Korea to take a leap forward again, live harmoniously together, and realize digital economy and society were proposed. To this end, five strategies and 19 specific tasks will be carried out.
Main Elements
【StrategyⅠ】 World’s best digital capabilities
Super gap technology will be secured in the six major innovative digital technologies.
(Direction for investment) From 2023, Korea will focus its investment on R&D in the field of six major innovative digital technologies, including ①AI, ②AI semiconductors, ③5G and 6G communication, ④quantum, ⑤metaverse, ⑥cyber security
(Method of implementation) The planning for mission-oriented and challenging technology will be increased from 2023, and support will be provided for the rapid deployment and spread in market, such as outstanding research outcomes being applied to domestic market.
Sufficient digital resources (AI, data, sharing of internet-based resources, software) will be secured.
(AI) Intensive investment* will be provided for developing next-generation fundamental technology, and the world’s best AI infrastructure** such as Neural Processing Unit (NPU), supercomputers and hyper-scale AI models will be established from 2023. Meanwhile, Korea will play a central role in shaping international AI norms from 2023, in ways such as building an AI ethics framework where coexistence with humans is possible.
* Fundamental technology for next-generation AI (2022~2026, a total of 301.8 billion won), core technologies for AI semiconductors (2022~2026, a total of 1.02 trillion won)
** Establish six next-generation supercomputers (2023~), create Neural Processing Unit (NPU) Farm (2023∽) etc.
(Data) Integrate* public and private data, and establish the infrastructure* for the value of data to be recognized and distributed in ways such as data asset protection, firmly establishing data transaction order and standardization system. This will create an environment where data can be utilized, by going beyond data accumulation.
* Introduce data value assessment (2022) and data certification system for quality control (2023), put in place a data transmission billing and compensation system (2024) etc.
(Sharing of internet-based resources) From 2022, kick-start the “Korean-Internet-based Resource Sharing Project” which enables AI semiconductors→ sharing of internet-based resources→ AI service to be systematically connected, based on the high-speed and low-power data center for sharing internet-based resources (cloud), made with homegrown AI semiconductors
(Software) Improve the fundamentals* of the software industry through reshaping the software market to be focused on Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), and fostering more than 2,000 SaaS companies by 2027
* Make it mandatory to purchase commercial software, establish a legitimate reward system, promote software industry which is driven by private sector investment etc.
Faster and safer 5G and 6G network will be built.
(5G and 6G communication) Nationwide 5G network will be built by 2024 to maintain the world’s best digital competence, gain dominance in 6G communication standards and patents (2026~) which are known to be the next generation communication technology, and push for a Pre-6G service demonstration in 2026 for the world’s first time.
(Quantum) Secure key technologies in quantum by 2026, based on the flagship project for technologies in three areas (internet, detector, computer) starting from 2022
(Cybersecurity) Cultivate 100,000 cybersecurity talent from 2022, and foster cybersecurity as a new strategic industry, including the development of four major defense technologies (control, protection, detection, response) starting from 2022
Korea will become a country rich in talent, through fostering one million digital talent.
(Digital education system) Double* the number of classes in information and computer education, compared to the current curriculum, expand software and AI education from elementary and middle schools, and increase the number of graduate schools in six major digital fields**
* 34 or over 34 hours for elementary schools, 68 or over 68 hours for middle schools
** AI, AI semiconductors, data, cybersecurity, metaverse, protection of personal information
(Foster talent based on public and private partnership) Address the shortage of digital professionals, through providing training based on public and private partnership* where it can lead to hiring success, and nurturing experts in digital transformation
* Companies get directly involved from the stage for designing educational curriculum, and provide assistance throughout the training and hiring processes. Under the program, 1,150 people will receive support in 2022, and the support will be expanded over the next five years.
Korea will nurture digital platform industry, going beyond boundaries.
(Internet video service) Increase the “fund for promoting Korean-internet video service contents” for strengthening the competitiveness of Korean-contents (100 billion won in 2022→ 300 billion won in 2027), and support the global expansion of domestic internet video service
(Metaverse) Implement pioneering projects for ten key metaverse areas for promoting the convergence of industry, culture and public sectors (2022~), establish the implementation plan and ethical principles for boosting regulatory innovation in metaverse (2022~)
(Digital platform) Foster outstanding companies in digital platform (2023~) by supporting the operation of “autonomous platform organizations” led by the private sector (2022~) and providing assistance for the development of innovative platform such as AI
(Blockchain) sImplement blockchain project which is closely connected to people’s lives to guarantee the reliability of creating, distributing and transacting digital assets (2023~), develop Korean-blockchain trust framework (2024~) and new certification technology (2024~)
Korea will promote “Korean digital initiative” leading the global market.
(Investment and startup) Encourage the supply of innovative capital by bolstering support for digital deep tech startups* and enhancing infrastructure for raising parent fund in the private sector (2023)
* Double the number of Tech Incubator Programs for Startup Korea (TIPS), and create deep tech fields, including data and AI (2023~)
(Export) Operate “digital export pioneering group” from 2023 for boosting global expansion based on public and private partnership, establish “digital delegation” to gather capabilities for supporting global expansion, that used to be scattered
* Establish hubs in strategic regions such as Silicon Valley of the U.S., Brussels of the European Union, and Shanghai of China
(Young people) Provide job training and research opportunities to world-class universities (2022~), carry out the project to foster 1,000 young leaders* (2023~) that can create digital success stories
* Support the creation of innovative cases by providing data and AI vouchers to young small business owners to enable their data purchase and utilization, as well as the application to businesses
【Strategy Ⅱ】 Burgeoning digital economy
Korea will leverage digital skills to further enhance the competitiveness of service industry.
| Digital culture industry |
Digital biotechnology industry |
Digital logistics industry |
• Virtual digital museum and library (2024)
• Digital culture based on metaverse (2024)
• Cultural commentary provided by autonomous driving robots (~2027)
|
• Build a national big data platform in biotechnology (2022~)
• Establish and utilize AI-based new drug development platform (2023)
• Establish reward system for digital healthcare activities (2027) |
• Establish port automation testbed (2025)
• Increase AI-based intelligent logistics facilities
• Logistics service based on UAVs and robots |
Korea will advance manufacturing industry to be future-oriented by leveraging digital technology.
(Traditional manufacturing) Establish large, small and medium-sized digital factories* for fostering innovation in productivity (2023~2025), and develop the platform for sharing, connecting and utilizing manufacturing data between companies (2022~)
* Support digital transformation, including improving environment to be worker-centered, safeguarding safety, and improving outdated facilities
(Advanced manufacturing) Review the possibility of establishing a complex for commercializing autonomous driving technology in order to reshape flagship industries such as automobiles and ships into high value-added industry of the future (2024~), secure autonomous driving technologies for commercializing self-driving ships, and lay the legal and institutional framework (2026)
Korea will foster agriculture and fisheries industry into future growth engines by leveraging digital technology.
(Agriculture) Deploy and diffuse precision agriculture by collecting, utilizing and spreading the data from intelligent farms of the public and private sectors (2023~), and advance the Korea Animal Health Integrated System (KAHIS) based on big data (2023~2027)
(Fisheries) Establish six hubs* for intelligent marine aquaculture (2025), and increase productivity through automating the entire process for producing major fish products (dried seaweed, oyster, fish cakes etc.)
* ① Busan (2019～2022), ② Goseong county in Gyeongnam Province (2019～2022), ③ Sinan county in South Jeolla Province (2020～2023), ④ Gangneung and Yang-yang county in Gangwon Province (2021～2024), ⑤ Pohang in Gyeongbuk Province (2021～2024), ⑥ to be newly selected
[Strategy Ⅲ] Digitally inclusive society
Korea will build a safer and more convenient living space by leveraging digital technology.
(Digital safety) Establish a meticulous digital safety network that protects the lives and safety of citizens with digital technology, in three areas including livelihood, industry and disaster (2022~2027)
| Safety management in daily lives |
Industrial safety ensuring a safe workplace |
Respond to typical Korean disasters |
• Detect and respond to abnormal situations by using ultra high frequency technology
• Nurture and hire AI nutritionists in school cafeterias
• Inspect and manage imported food using AI |
• Designate and operate special safety zones in industrial complexes
• Demonstrate clocks for vessels to signal distress
• Distribute intelligent safety equipments |
• Deploy AI-based flood forecasting system in rivers nationwide
• Coastal management based on digital replicas
• UAVs on patrol and robots to prevent fires |
(Digital welfare) Provide intelligent caring service that protects both the safety* and health** of elderly people living alone (2024~), and support intelligent health management of pregnant women, children and middle-aged people by leveraging digital technology (2024~)
* (Prevent safety accidents) Support rapid reporting to 911, by increasing accuracy and speed for recognizing emergencies
** (Emotional and health care) Provide emotional support such as sending information through voice, giving guidelines for blood pressure, exercise intensity and taking medicine
(Digital carbon neutrality) Promote eco-friendly data center for improving energy efficiency in the digital sector (2022~), ensure effective energy production and consumption based on AI (2022~), and select and demonstrate representative city in digital carbon neutrality (2025)
Korea will create a society where every citizen can enjoy the benefits from digitalization.
(Universal digital rights) Establish “the Bill of Digital Rights (tentative title)” that stipulates digital technology as an universal right for anyone to enjoy, by going beyond digital inclusion such as gaining access to digital resources and reducing the digital divide (~2023)
(Utilization of digital technology) Provide support to small business owners and traditional markets in their utilization of digital technology*(2022~), ensure digital devices can be developed and distributed to the vulnerable groups (5,300 devices in 2023), and implement the project to remove digital barrier in ten places based on social overhead capital (SOC), including nursery schools, schools and senior citizen community centers
* (as-is)2 million businesses, 11 types of database → (to-be)over 6 million businesses, over 20 types of database
Korea will revitalize local economy by leveraging digital technology.
(Innovation Hub) Establish greater “local digital hubs” with digital infrastructure and R&D to lay the foundation for local digital emerging industries (starting 2023)
* E.g. (Busan) fashion and beauty (Daegu) healthcare and robot (Daejeon) national defense, mobility and healthcare
【Strategy Ⅳ】 Open Digital Platform Government
We will realize digital welfare and democracy through the Digital Platform Government.
(Services Resulting in Tangible Benefits) Promote projects that will create benefits for people and businesses in the short term (starting 2023)
| Convenience for People |
Innovative Businesses |
Scientific Government |
• Easy claim process for medical expense insurance
• Real estate and housing subscription information service
• Youth employment, taxi service for disabled people |
• Support for SMEs
• Public data by small business districts
• AI robot delivery by smart address system |
• Sharing of key national issues
• Global supply chain risk warning
• Address the “blind spots” of welfare system |
(Proactive Customized Services) Proactive procurement of public and administrative services according to people’s life cycles, employment status and welfare status, and standardize data and government services to provide them as API (starting 2023).
※ Register common government services (e.g. inquiry, registration, booking) and private software services (e.g. map, payment, notification) as API and make them public
We Will Innovate How the Government Works With Digital Technologies.
(Scientific Government) Instead of depending on existing practices and experiences, establish an AI- and data-based administrative system (by 2027) and make public administrative procedures smart and scientific (starting 2023)
* Maximize policy-making process (e.g. real-time monitoring of key data for national issues, early warning system)
(Expand Government Collaboration) Transition into a public-private partnership system to address urgent issues by leveraging the private sector’s expertise and capabilities(by 2027)
【Strategy Ⅴ】 Innovating Digital Culture
We Will facilitate Private-led Digital Innovation Culture to Take Root.
(People) Implement the Digital Badge system*, which certifies individuals’ digital education, experience and qualifications and link them with employment, and establish the Digital Talent Alliance**, a system that the government, businesses and universities jointly nurture talent
* Support it to be linked to and used by diverse private digital platforms and digital wallet services.
** Exclusive recruitment system for digital companies and joint job fair, priority for co-op opportunities, joint curriculum development, diffusion of the digital badge system
(Business) Nurture 1,000 digital startups with support from large companies (starting 2023), Open Innovation Strategy for Public-Private Partnership*, which aims to address large companies’s challenges with startup technologies (starting 2022)
* The government provides support by designating qualified startups, financing, matching large companies in need (demand) and startups with appropriate technologies (supply)
We Will Remove Regulatory Barriers That Undermine Innovation And Mediate Conflicts
(Regulatory Improvement) By linking with the government’s regulatory improvement policies (governance*), encourage the private sector to take the lead in identifying regulations that need to be improved in emerging digital industries (e.g. platform, metaverse) (starting 2022).
* e.g. Presidential Regulatory Improvement Strategy Meeting, Regulation Deliberation Committee, Economy Regulation Innovation task force
(Mediation) Allow special permission for pilot testing to address conflicts between emerging industries and traditional industries and create a mediation task force under the ICT Strategy Committee (starting 2023)
We Will Establish the Legal Framework for Digital Economy and Society
(Legislation) Enact the Digital Society Framework Act (tentative) to prepare for a new digital era, together with the major five digital economy act* (starting 2023)
* Artificial Intelligence Framework Act, Metaverse Special Act, Cyber Security Framework Act, Digital Inclusion Act, Data Framework Act (enacted in October 2021)
** Establish a framework act that can cover industry promotion, social foundation establishment, talent nurturing, convergence and expansion (→consider integrating the Framework Act on Intelligent Informatization and the Special Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Technology, Vitalization of Convergence Thereof, Etc.)
(Digital Order) Establish a digital order (policy direction and standards)* for issues related to economic and social principles that can be raised in the digital era
* Operate a ministry-led task force in which stakeholders and experts participate to create a social consensus and develop standards
We Will Share Korea’s Digital Innovation With the World
(International Agenda) Share Korea’s digital innovation vision and achievements and discuss measures for cooperation at international events such as the G20 Summit (Nov. 2023) and digital ministers’ meeting (UN ESCAP, OECD)
(International Cooperation) Expand the New York Initiative and the National Digital Strategy as a major agenda of international cooperation* (e.g. bilateral and multilateral cooperation, international organizations, private exchanges) and lead the global discussion
* e.g. Korea-US ICT Policy Dialogue, Korea-EU Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology, standard-setting organizations (ITU, 3GPP), keynote speeches at international exhibitions (MWC, CES)
Implementation System
The government will review the implementation process through the ICT Strategy Committee, in which relevant ministries, private businesses and experts participate, to promote these strategies nationwide and will discuss cooperation measures.
If needed, a Digital Strategy Task Force (tentative) will be created under the ICT Strategy Committee to facilitate the review process faster and more systematically.
For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division (E-mail: msitpress@korea.kr) of the Ministry of Science and ICT.
Please refer to the attached PDF