Ministry of Science and ICT Participates in ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 28th that it plans to participate in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly, to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from the 1st to the 9th of next month, to strengthen global standardization leadership in the information and communication field.

The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly is the highest decision-making body of ITU's Telecommunication Standardization Sector (hereinafter 'ITU-T'). Agendas such as the election of chairpersons of Study Groups and the Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group (TSAG) under the next session, as well as the adoption and revision of resolutions and recommendations on information and communication technology (ICT) standardization, are expected to be discussed.

Delegations from 193 member countries and companies are expected to attend this assembly. South Korea plans to send domestic ICT-related industry-academia-research experts, including Seo Seong-il, Director of the National Radio Research Agency, Yeom Heung-ryeol, Professor at Soonchunhyang University (current Chair of the Information Security Study Group), and Jeong Seong-ho, Professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

In particular, this assembly will discuss the election of the next chairpersons who will practically lead international standardization in ITU-T Study Groups for the next four years. With 149 candidates registered, 27 more than the 122 candidates in the previous assembly, competition among countries to secure chairpersons is expected to be fierce. South Korea has recommended chairperson candidates for all 12 Study Groups (including advisory groups) and plans to respond to competition with other countries based on the experience and expertise accumulated in each Study Group.

Additionally, South Korea plans to lead international standardization discussions by proposing a total of four resolutions and amendments, including a new proposal to strengthen ITU-T's role in preventing pandemic spread, and amendments to enhance cybersecurity research including new technologies (such as distributed ledger technology) in the Information Security Study Group (SG17).

Furthermore, active discussions are expected on the adoption and revision of resolutions reflecting the latest technological trends such as artificial intelligence, quantum cryptography communication, and the Internet of Things, as well as changes in standardization work methods and procedures within Study Groups.

Meanwhile, in September this year, a plenipotentiary conference will be held to elect high-ranking officials such as the ITU Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General. With Lee Jae-seop, the current ITU-T Secretary, running for Deputy Secretary-General, election support activities targeting chief delegates of participating countries at this assembly will also be promoted.

Cho Kyung-sik, the 2nd Vice Minister, stated, "As the competition for technological supremacy among major countries intensifies recently, securing international standards for ICT such as 6th generation mobile communication and artificial intelligence has become more important. It is very important for South Korea to strengthen its leadership in international standardization organizations." He added, "At this assembly, we will expand the advancement of our standard experts to chair positions, and actively support the election of the first-ever Korean ITU Deputy Secretary-General at the ITU plenipotentiary conference to be held in September."

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