• "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 20^th to December 15^th, 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 5^th 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.