Information and communication technology experts from around the world on Monday discussed the role of Korea’s creative economy initiative in the world’s ICT sector during the Global ICT Forum, a preparatory meeting for the 2014 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference.

Timothy Mack, president of the World Future Society, a nonprofit international organization for social, technological and economic issues, emphasized the importance of the creative economy of the Korean government.

“The creative economy initiative that President Park Geun-hye has begun is a first step in defining the future in real terms,” said Mack, adding that more cooperation with global partners in codevelopment and globalization will lead to the success of the initiative.

He said the goals of the economic initiative, including convergence of science and the technology with industry and fusion of culture and industry, would help developing nations to take a leap into the development of ICT.

He also asked the Korean government to educate the public with the details of the policy such as its benefits and alternatives, which will help the government implement the policy more successfully.

“Creative economy is extremely important, and ICT is the core component of that vision, which will have an undoubtedly positive impact around the world,” he said. 

Also attending the meeting was Yoon Jong-lok, vice minister of science, ICT and future planning.

Yoon pledged that Korea would make more global contributions by pursuing sustainable development and coprosperity, and sharing the values and visions of a creative economy.

In his speech at the meeting, he said the quadrennial 2014 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference will serve as a venue for fostering harmony and coexistence.

The conference to be held next October is organized by the International Telecommunication Union under the U.N. for promoting ICTs.

Four sessions took place with subjects ranging from the ICT and creative economy, cooperation between Korea and ITU amid global changes to preparations for the ITU conference.

Other participants included Tim Kelly, lead ICT policy specialist at the World Bank Group, and Hahn Hern-soo, president of Soongsil University.

While praising the Korean government’s economic policy for its idea of converging science, technology and ICT to create new businesses, markets and jobs, Tim Kelly said ITU could help lay the foundation of the creative economy through its work including the standardization of technologies such as MP4, support for the development of mobile applications and content, and promotion of network-based services such as e-health and e-agriculture.

By Kim Young-won (wone01012@heraldcorp.com)