'Digital Inclusion' Information Culture Month Ceremony... Professor Kim Jong-bae Awarded the Nokjo Geunjeong Medal

[Asia Economy Reporter Seolgina Jo] The Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Information Society Agency (NIA) held the '33rd Information Culture Month Commemoration Ceremony' on the morning of the 22nd at Seoul Innovation Park, consisting of an awards ceremony for contributors to information culture and a digital inclusion vision proclamation ceremony.

This ceremony was held under the theme "A Digitally United Korea, a Digital Inclusion World Enjoyed by All," aiming to ensure that all citizens, including vulnerable groups, can enjoy digital benefits amid the accelerated digital transformation triggered by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

This year's Information Culture Merit Medal (Nokjo Geunjeong Medal) was awarded to Professor Jongbae Kim of the Department of Occupational Therapy at Yonsei University. Professor Kim, who became quadriplegic due to an unexpected accident, was recognized for resuming economic activities through the spread of PCs and the internet and for his contributions such as research on remote rehabilitation using VR and the development of information and communication assistive devices.

The Information Culture Merit Decoration (Geunjeong Decoration) was awarded to Professor Wonju Lee of the Department of Computer Information at Inha Technical College, who organized and operated a software education volunteer group. He was highly evaluated for conducting software education donations targeting vulnerable groups and operating the Happy Coding School for disabled youth, dedicating himself to bridging the digital divide. In addition, others who practiced and contributed to spreading the meaning of digital inclusion throughout society received Presidential Citations (6 awards) and Prime Minister Citations (7 awards).

At the ceremony, a vision for 'digital inclusion,' which the government will prioritize to ensure that no citizens are discriminated against or excluded during the digital transformation process, was also proclaimed. It will be promoted focusing on four major tasks: ▲ strengthening inclusive digital capabilities, ▲ creating an inclusive digital usage environment, ▲ promoting inclusive digital utilization, and ▲ establishing a foundation for digital inclusion.

To foster an ecosystem of digital inclusion, the 'Digital Inclusion Enterprise Alliance,' a cooperative network composed of various digital inclusion companies such as social enterprises, portals, and telecommunications companies, was launched on the same day. Minister Ki-young Choi of the Ministry of Science and ICT held a meeting with the alliance immediately after the ceremony to discuss related matters. Based on the discussions at this meeting, the Ministry plans to actively support the creation of a private-led digital inclusion ecosystem.

Minister Ki-young Choi stated, "It is important to create an inclusive digital environment so that no citizens are marginalized or discriminated against during the digital transformation era," adding, "We will do our best to realize a digital inclusion society by strengthening the digital capabilities of all citizens and creating digital jobs for vulnerable groups, with the government and private sector working together in various fields."

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