Post-COVID Daily Life Issues Solved Directly by Citizens... 230 Million KRW Prize for 'Sol·Jik Challenge' 추진

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission & Ministry of Science and ICT Host '2020 Sol·Jik Challenge'
"Solving Public Inconveniences Using ICT Solutions"

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC), together with the Ministry of Science and ICT, announced on the 12th that they will promote the '2020 National Life Problem Sol·Jik Challenge' to resolve daily inconveniences related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Sol·Jik means that citizens directly develop information and communication technology (ICT) solutions.

The Sol·Jik Challenge is a contest to develop and utilize original solutions based on ICT technologies such as mobile applications, VR·AR, data, and AI to solve inconveniences in citizens' daily lives and social issues.

This expands the 'Public Mask Sales Information Service' implemented by the Ministry of Science and ICT in March to the field of citizens' daily life. The government disclosed mask sales data, and the private sector used this data to develop and provide over 150 mobile apps or websites showing locations and stock quantities by sales outlets.

The ACRC proposed tasks based on the analysis of civil complaint data through its civil complaint analysis system. Opinions were gathered from the steering committee composed of civic groups related to welfare, consumers, administrative reform, as well as ICT experts and developer communities.

As complaints related to changes in daily life such as 'social distancing' and 'non-face-to-face' surged due to COVID-19 this year, the theme was selected as 'Wise Post-COVID Life Preparedness through ICT.'

According to the ACRC, from the first confirmed case on January 20th until the 5th of this month, a total of 103,117 COVID-19 related complaints were received.

In the early period (January and February), most complaints were related to quarantine measures (56.1%), but gradually (March and April), complaints related to 'daily inconvenience and damage relief' increased (56.7%).

The most frequent inconveniences caused by COVID-19 were related to three major areas: education and childcare, caregiving, and daily life and culture, which were each presented as designated tasks for the challenge.

The final 10 entries will be selected based on criteria set by the steering committee, including ▲social value and effectiveness of the solution ▲creativity of the idea ▲technical completeness.

Winners will receive 10 awards including the Minister of Science and ICT Award, the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission Award, and the President of the National IT Industry Promotion Agency Award, along with a total prize money of 230 million KRW and subsequent commercialization support.

Detailed information about the challenge will be available on the official website starting from the 13th. Submissions can be made on the website from the 1st of next month until 5 PM on August 14th.

Kwon Seokwon, Director of the Policy Bureau for Rights Improvement at the ACRC, stated, "The significance of this challenge and the reason for collaborating with the Ministry of Science and ICT is to solve daily life problems through the use of digital technology based on civil complaint data that vividly reflects citizens' inconveniences and grievances."

Director Kwon added, "Through this 'Sol·Jik Challenge,' we expect the interest and participation of citizens with ideas for life improvement and development capabilities so that citizens' lives can move in a more positive direction even in the post-COVID situation."

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