"IMT Framework 2030
and Beyond (draft)," a 6G vision resolution led by South Korea has been
formally adopted.
Dr. Wee Gyu-Jin elected
as the chair of 6G research group for the first time in Korea’s history.
Domestic 6G experts to be
dispatched to ITU in March 2024.
The Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister Lee Jong Ho, hereinafter
referred to as "MSIT") announced that the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) will
be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 20th to
December 15th, 2023, for four weeks. WRC-23* is the highest
decision-making conference in the field of radiocommunication hosted by the ITU,
a specialized agency under the United Nations (UN). In the conference, Radio
Regulations (RR)**, which cover international radio wave frequency allocation
and the prevention criteria for radio wave interference between countries, will
be revised.
* World Radiocommunication
Conference (WRC): An event organized by the ITU every four years to address
international issues such as frequency allocation and other matters of
significance in the field of radiocommunication. Often referred to as the
"Olympics of Radio Waves," the WRC attracts participation from
governments and expert bodies of 193 countries, with a total of 3,400
individual participants. This year, the WRC is scheduled to take place in
Dubai, UAE, for a duration of four weeks immediately following RA-23.
** Radio Regulations (RR): A basic
document stipulating operational rules of the ITU, and a formal supplementation
to the ITU Constitution and Convention, with a legal status of international
law. RR establish regulations and criteria relevant to the prevention and
coordination of harmful interference in the international radiocommunications.
Ahead of the WRC-23, the ITU Radiocommunication Assembly (RA-23), which
oversees organization and research activities of the ITU's Radiocommunication Sector
(ITU-R), was also held. During this meeting, ITU standards framework and
nomenclature for future 6G vision and standardization (IMT-2030) was approved
in conclusion, of which South Korea has been actively putting forward. This
crucial step in establishing international standards is notable in that Korea
has played a leading role preparing for this WRC, where the identification
procedure of candidate frequency bands for 6G mobile communication will be
decided.
In addition, Korea has achieved a significant milestone within its
participation in ITU-R by securing the position of the Chair to the ITU Study
Group 5 for terrestrial services (SG-5), responsible for directing
international standardization in mobile communication technology- and
frequency-related matters. Dr. Wee Gyu-Jin, the elected Chairperson, has been
actively involved in representing South Korea at the WRC since 1995, making
consistent contribution to ensuring national rights to radio wave usage for
over 30 years. In 2016, he has been elected as the Chair of the Asia-Pacific
Telecommunity (APT) Conference Preparatory Group for WRC (APG). Korea's role as
the Chairing country to the SG-5 for the next four years puts it in a critical
position to lead the international standardization of 6G, providing a
foundation to proactively engage in the race to secure 6G frequency bands.
Building upon such achievements during the RA-23, MSIT plans to partake in
various activities in many fields, creating meaningful contributions to WRC-23
and tangible outcomes. In this WRC-23, in-depth discussions are expected to be
held on 23 agenda items, including additional allocation of global mobile
communication frequencies, as well as topics related to maritime and aviation
safety, stable operation of public service satellite networks, and new
allocation of radio service for space weather sensors.
In particular, to ensure that the stance of the domestic industry could be
favorably considered in the discussions, South Korea plans to strategically
respond to key WRC agenda items. For example, MSIT will call for an adoption of
the agenda for identification of 6G candidate frequencies to implement future
mobile communication, and hold frequent coordination meetings with major
countries at the same time.
Finally, MSIT plans to dispatch domestic private-sector experts to the ITU
in order to actively lead 6G technology development and international
standardization efforts. The dispatch has been in preparation since last
August, when MSIT signed an MoU with the ITU. Through enhancing future
technology cooperation and assistance for SG-5 activities, MSIT will ensure
that South Korea secures an advantageous position in the international standards
discussion for 6G, which will commence further at the next WRC, scheduled to be
held in 2027.
MSIT Vice Minister Park Yun Kyu emphasized, "South Korea assuming the
chair position of the ITU Radiocommunication Sector's Study Group 5 for
terrestrial services demonstrates the global recognition of Korea's
technological competitiveness and leadership, especially being the first in the
world to commercialize 5th generation (5G) mobile communication.
Also, regarding 6G, we have seen fruitful outcomes of diverse international
cooperation efforts, such as Korea's leading role in proactive proposal of 6G
vision resolution and its approval." He further stated, "In this
year's World Radiocommunication Conference, too, we will leverage our
accumulated experience in the international stage to maximize national interest
in key agenda items, including the adoption of the agenda for identification of
6G candidate frequencies."
For further information, please contact the Public
Relations Division (Phone: +82-44-202-4034, E-mail: msitmedia@korea.kr)
of the Ministry of Science and ICT.
please refer to the attached PDF.