[Q&A] Choi Ki-young "Working on Affordable 5G Plans... Achievements in Alttel Phone Sector"

Training 1,000 AI Experts by 2022 and 30 Trillion KRW Public-Private Investment in 5G
"Sub-plans and Rule Revisions Within 6 Months After Passing the Data 3 Acts"
"OTT Minimal Regulation Principle, Bold Relaxation of Existing Pay TV Regulations"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jinju Han] The Ministry of Science and ICT announced its 2020 work plan aiming to nurture 1,000 AI talents and invest 10 trillion KRW in the data industry to become the "No.1 AI nation." By 2022, it plans to invest 30 trillion KRW in 5G together with the private sector and leap forward as a media powerhouse that supports free innovation by media platforms. Below is a Q&A with Minister Choi Ki-young of the Ministry of Science and ICT.

▶Telecom companies are opposing the introduction of mid-to-low priced 5G plans. What is your opinion on this?

=We are currently working on creating mid-to-low priced 5G plans. There have been significant achievements especially in the MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) sector. Once a certain level of investment is made, I believe the three major carriers will also consider lowering their rates accordingly.

▶Please provide more details on the plan to invest 30 trillion KRW in 5G.

=Regarding the 30 trillion KRW investment in 5G, considering the investments made so far by the private sector, such an amount of investment will be sufficiently possible going forward. The government will also make some investments, but most of it will likely be private sector investment.

▶To prevent confusion, specific enforcement decrees and guidelines related to the Data 3 Act need to be released. What is the concrete schedule for this?

=The Data 3 Act has passed, and within six months, we plan to revise subordinate plans, enforcement decrees, and enforcement rules. We will collaborate with the relevant ministries responsible for the Data 3 Act to prepare detailed contents.

▶There are concerns about personal information protection following the passage of the Data 3 Act. What are the specific plans for developing personal information protection technologies?

=Although the Data 3 Act has passed, we must consider not only utilization methods but also potential negative effects, and protecting personal information is important. We will continue to develop technologies, and in areas where technology is insufficient, we will manage to prevent issues such as personal information leaks.

▶There are many criticisms that platforms like Netflix and YouTube operate without regulation, creating a "tilted playing field." Does the principle of minimum regulation for media platforms mean you intend to create regulations or to correct the tilted playing field?

=Currently, there are no regulations on OTT services including Netflix in Korea. We intend to exclude new regulations as much as possible to prevent a tilted playing field. However, just as paid broadcasting and terrestrial broadcasting are regulated, if socially negative impacts arise from OTT services, we will consider introducing minimal regulations. Please understand it as such.

Additionally, we will boldly consider abolishing or relaxing existing regulations. For example, regarding paid broadcasting fees, which have required approval so far, we are reviewing easing this to a notification system. Regarding issues related to the "tilted playing field," we will examine how to respond from the perspective of fair competition.

▶What is the timeline for achieving the plan to nurture 1,000 AI and software specialists, and what plans have been made to close the AI competitiveness gap with countries like the U.S.?

=Since Korea lacks AI specialists, it is important to focus on a small elite group. The goal is to nurture 1,000 advanced talents in AI and software fields by 2022. We plan to expand and reorganize AI graduate programs to train about 500 people there. At the national strategy announcement last December, the plan was to nurture 4,000 specialists and 10,000 annually by 2030.

▶If an AI-dedicated fund of 300 billion KRW is established, how will the funds be raised and what specific companies will be invested in?

=The government plans to build a 5 trillion KRW venture fund this year, and among that, it aims to create an AI-dedicated fund of about 300 billion KRW. If KIF invests 50 billion KRW in a private fund it creates, 300 billion KRW of private capital will come in as a sub-fund through a matching method. Fund management will be autonomously decided by the investment management company.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.