Korea-Mongolia MoU signed on broadcasting and communications testing and certification cooperation

- Bilateral cooperation to be promoted regarding conformity assessment, including the validity of KC certification in Mongolia  On December 5th, the National Radio Research Agency (Administrator Seo Seong Il, hereinafter referred to as "RRA") under the Ministry of Science and ICT announced that RRA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Communications Regulatory Commission of Mongolia. The goal is to apply domestic KC certification for broadcasting and communications to Mongolian radio certification process. * Communications Regulatory Commission of Mongolia (CRC): A regulatory institution under the Ministry of Digital Development and Communications (MDDC), CRC is responsible for matters related to conformity assessment and certification of information and wireless communications equipment.  This MoU aligns with the Mongolian government's strategy to prioritize the development of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector as a key industry, particularly in the context of popularity of Korea influenced by Hallyu (the Korean wave). By transferring Korea's advanced broadcasting and communications conformity assessment system and technologies to Mongolia, it is anticipated that such cooperation will enhance the competitive edge of domestic broadcasting and communications industry in export activities.  With the MoU, both countries agreed to promote education, training, expert exchanges, and collaboration in the field of testing, assessment, certification issuance, and technical regulation of broadcasting and communications products. Additionally, a cooperative framework will be established to ensure that the KC certification is recognized in Mongolia as valid, as in the case of CE certification (European Union).  RRA Administrator Seo Seong Il stated, "The bilateral cooperation on testing and certification with Mongolia holds significant meaning as it alleviates the burden on domestic businesses in export activities, as well as providing a basis for Korea to engage in such activities under the conditions equivalent to the European Union, as KC certification comes into effect at the same level as CE certification of the EU." He expressed that RRA will put continued efforts in expanding the range of countries that approves KC certification, in order to support exports of Korean ICT businesses.   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. 

MSIT Director selected as OECD Committee on Digital Economy Policy Vice-Chair

- A steppingstone for Korea to lead digital governance discussions at OECD  The Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister Lee Jong Ho, hereinafter referred to as "MSIT") announced that Director Choi Woo Seok of the Multilateral Cooperation Division, was elected as the Vice-Chair at the 92nd Meeting of the Committee on Digital Economy Policy under the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), held on December 4th through 5th in Paris, France.  The objective of the Committee on Digital Economy Policy (CDEP) is to foster collaborative development across nations. As such, CDEP develops reviews and analyses on the trends of emerging digital technologies, such as next-generation mobile communications, Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and data, and their economic and social implications, as well as serving as a platform for member countries to exchange policy recommendations and best practices.  Responsibilities of the CDEP include publication of the OECD Digital Economy Outlook 2024 after a four-year gap, which is a comprehensive report covering the entire digital sector, operation of the Global Forum on Technology, which analyzes latest trends in the development of new technologies and their impacts to the economy and society, and policy support for the establishment of digital governance, such as publishing the report "Rights in the Digital Age" and making contributions to the 2019 OECD AI Principles. The chairs are responsible for guiding overall discussions held inside the CDEP throughout the regular and leadership meetings. For the year 2024, Korea will serve as the Vice-Chair, alongside Japan, the Chair, and 4 other Vice-Chairs, namely the United Kingdom, Canada, Spain, and Mexico.  Director for Multilateral Cooperation Choi Woo Seok has a rich experience in digital policy, having served as the Head of the AI Promotion Office at MSIT, and is a seasoned professional in the field of multi- and bilateral cooperation, who was responsible for overseeing the coordination of the 2014 International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference in Korea. It is anticipated that Director Choi will actively partake in leading the OECD discussions on the establishment of digital governance, advocating Korea's national interest as a model digital nation.   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.

MSIT announces the Plan for the Establishment of the International Science & Business Belt (2023-2030)

- Improving the living environment and providing support for commercialization of R&D outcomes  The Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister Lee Jong Ho, hereinafter referred to as "MSIT"), in accordance with the "2nd Basic Plan for the International Science & Business Belt* (2022-2030)," announced the "Execution Plan for the Establishment of the International Science & Business Belt (2023-2030)" (hereinafter referred to as the "Execution Plan") and its implementation, which aims to develop the Central Districts of the Science Belt (located in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon) into a "global science and industry ecosystem."  * International Science & Business Belt (hereinafter referred to as the "Science Belt"): The Science Belt is a designated area where the Central Districts and Functional Districts are interconnected to build a world-class basic research environment, and integrate basic research and business in a comprehensive and systematic way. Central Districts, located in Sin-dong, Dungok, and Doryong in Daejeon, serve basic research functions, and Functional Districts, located in Sejong, Cheongju, and Cheonan, carry out commercialization functions.   The Execution Plan was developed in order to improve the living environment of the Science Belt Central Districts, regarding transportation, education, and housing, and to support commercialization of research and development (R&D) outcomes, as stipulated by the "2nd Basic Plan for the Science Belt." During the development process, detailed tasks were deliberated through discussions with local government authorities and other relevant organizations*. * Daejeon Metropolitan City, National Agency for Administrative City Construction (NAACC), Korea Land & Housing Corporation (LH), Korea Innovation Foundation   Whereas the "1st Basic Plan for the Science Belt" focused on infrastructure-building and construction of foundations, this Execution Plan is set to drive the continuous development of the Science Belt into an "open research hub with improved living environment that accommodates international standards." To achieve this, the following four strategic tasks were suggested.  [Strategic task 1] Improving transportation  - Accessibility to the Science Belt, and balanced and mutual development with the Chungcheong Region will be promoted with the expansion of public transportation that connects to Sejong and Daejeon central urban areas, and the establishment of a regional road network.  - A Science Belt station will be installed on the B1 route of the Osong-Daejeon Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) by 2025. A design commission for establishing a regional road network connecting Bugang Station (Gyeongbu Line)-Science Belt-North Daejeon Interchange will also be completed by the first half of 2025.  [Strategic task 2] Securing education environment  - Necessary facilities will be established to create an educational environment to support work and lives of scientists, engineers, and employees of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Science Belt Central Districts.  - While there are three public kindergartens currently in operation, additional kindergartens in workplaces are planned to open for the employees of resident companies by 2027. Also, an integrated kindergarten-elementary-middle school is under construction with the goal of opening in the second semester next year.   [Strategic task 3] Expanding facilities for residents’ convenience  - Convenience of residents and resident organizations will be improved through expanding spaces for rest, entertainment and leisure, and installing government offices to provide culture, administration, and safety services.  - By the end of 2024, the reservoirs on the outskirts of the Science Belt will be remodeled into an ecological rest area by connecting with existing waterside walking paths. A construction plan of the public facilities for resident convenience, such as a cultural welfare complex and a 119 safety center, will be formulated by 2024 as well.  [Strategic task 4] Propelling science and technology commercialization  - Strategies to reinforce the role of the Science Belt as a hub for nurturing scientific industries and supporting commercialization of basic research and technologies will be concretized.  - There are plans to establish the "Science Belt Support Center (tentative)" by 2025, and to establish policy framework for supporting commercialization activities, such as developing specific initiatives tailored to the Central Districts.   Kim Hyeon Soo, the Head of the International Science-Business Belt Promotion Office, stated that, "The Office will strengthen cooperative efforts with relevant organizations to make sure that the strategic tasks included in the Execution Plan could be carried out as scheduled." He further stated, "We will actively support the role of the International Science & Business Belt as the national growth hub integrating basic research and business, to promote tangible outcomes in science commercialization activities."   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.