The Korea Information Society Development Institute held a briefing to Minister Choi Yang-hee of Science, ICT and Future Planning on July 23 at a KISDI conference room.

The briefing was attended by Minister Choi, Kim Yong-su, Assistant Minister and Director General of the Office of ICT Policy, Kang Sung-joo, Director General of the Internet Convergence Policy Bureau, Seo Seok-jin, Director General of the Software Policy Bureau, and Kang Do-hyun, Deputy Director General of the Software Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP). President Kim Do-whan of KISDI opened the briefing with a welcoming remark and the introduction of the KISDI management and Ko Sang-Won, Director of the Department of Planning and Coordination gave a presentation on the general information, vision and goals of KISDI as well as 2015 ICT policy issues and key research themes.

In response, Minister Choi emphasized the need for a close network between KISDI and the MSIP regardless of the physical distance.

“We did not have a clear and effective national ICT strategy over the last decade and this has been exhausting Korea’s growth potential in the ICT sector. To address this issue, the Ministry has developed and has been implementing the K-ICT strategy together with KISDI,” he said.

He added, “In order for a new strategy to be successful, a consensus among the public and the industry and a step-by-step action plan are critical. As the K-ICT strategy is based upon ICT development and innovation, we need KISDI’s help in further developing the strategy with a deep understanding of the field of ICT.”

Minister Choi also acknowledged KISDI’s request to strengthen its role as an ICT statistics control tower for more practical and effective policy making, while asking KISDI to think over its business model in order to find new clients, build global partnerships and thereby overcome the current difficulties in management. “Since President Kim took office, KISDI has become more systematic and efficient. The MSIP will fully support KISDI’s efforts to move forward with a variety of projects marking its 30th anniversary of establishment and 1st anniversary of relocation. Let us create a win-win model between the MSIP and KISDI through ongoing self-reflection and innovation,” he said.

President Kim responded to the Minister by saying, “It is indeed an invaluable opportunity for all of us at KISDI to understand the struggles and challenges the Minister is facing as the head of the country’s ICT policy. As it has always been a leading think tank in ICT policy making, KISDI will be at the forefront of the government’s creative economy initiative with more ideas for ICT innovation. Also, we will seek to develop a more sustainable business model as the Minister mentioned.”

After the briefing, Minister Choi made a tour of the institute and encouraged KISDI researchers.

Contact: Kim Jun-Seob, Administrative Staff, Department of Planning and Coordination (Tel:043-531-4019)