SEOUL, KOREA - On May 8th, Kang Seongju, director-general of the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning (MSIP) gave a speech on “the creative economy with science and ICT” at the Information Professional Association of Korea (IPAK) seminar held at the JW Marriot Hotel in Seoul. "Economic development in conjunction with the convergence of science and ICT is necessary to achieve the realization of the creative economy,” Kang said.
On May 8th, Kang Seongju, director-general of the MSIP gave a speech on “the creative economy with science and ICT” at the IPAK seminar.
He went on to say that, “It is expected that by 2017 more than 400,000 jobs will be created by pursuing the knowledge-economy eco-system. The core of the knowledge economy lies in the creation of new markets and strengthening existing industries, which will be made possible by taking full advantage of imagination, creativity, science, and ICT. To allow individual ideas to blossom into businesses with greater ease, the government plans to support colleges’ startups and incubating R&D. On top of this, MSIP is expected to vitalize the TLO (Technology Licensing Office) which aims to boost technology transfer from SMEs to colleges.”
He added that, “When ICT is integrated with other industries, it will provide a boost to the existing industries as well as create new industries and demands. For instance, when ICT is harnessed for public services such as healthcare, childcare, education and public safety, it helps to provide tailor-made services for individuals, subsequently creating new types of business models and generating youth employment. In this regard, the government will focus on expanding the market by applying ICT into diverse industries.”
MSIP also plans to focus on the software and content industries, with the expectation of increasing software sales from 31.2 trillion won (29 billion dollars) to 100 trillion won (92 billion dollars). Kang introduced the notion of establishing software policy institutes, and software convergence clusters. “MSIP also plans to provide online education programs for elementary and high schools in an effort to nurture students skilled in computer programming from a younger age.” He said that programs simulating games that allow students to learn computer programming should be developed and encouraged.
In order to promote the content industry, the government has set aside 40 million won designated as the “Content Korea Fund” with the goal of supporting startups, the trial production of content, and providing labs for content creation.
Lastly, he emphasized the importance of cooperation with other ministries in order to make this convergence between science and IT possible and to attain the desired growth. The MSIP will partner with the Ministry of Education to handle academic-industry cooperation and ICT convergence education, Korea Communications Commission will be designated for ICT promotion, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy for the advancement of key industries through IT and software. MSIP has introduced the ICT promotion act which aims to integrate ICT projects that are currently scattered throughout diverse ministries.