Ministry of Science and ICT Secures 10 Chair Positions at ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 10th that it secured 10 seats in the chairmanship of the study groups for the next session at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland. This is the largest scale ever.

The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly is the highest decision-making body in the telecommunication standardization sector (ITU-T) of the International Telecommunication Union, discussing the election of study group (SG) chairpersons and resolutions, recommendations, and revisions related to information and communication technology standardization.

At this assembly, 149 candidates from 37 countries competed for the next chairmanship of the ITU-T sector study groups. Korea secured 2 chairperson seats and 8 vice-chairperson seats, holding the largest number of chairmanships ever in ITU-T, a leading international standardization organization in the information and communication field.

In particular, the Ministry of Science and ICT explained that by securing chair positions in two study groups responsible for core technologies related to digital transformation?the Information Security Study Group (SG17) and the Internet of Things and Smart Cities Study Group (SG20)?Korea has laid the foundation to lead international standardization of information and communication technology in the era of technological hegemony competition. Additionally, among the resolutions proposed by Korea, a new resolution to strengthen the role of ITU-T in preventing pandemic spread will be discussed for adoption as an overall ITU resolution at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (September), and all three amendment proposals related to cybersecurity and gender equality were adopted.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Cho Kyung-sik of the Ministry of Science and ICT used this assembly as an opportunity to conduct election activities for Korea’s advancement to the ITU Deputy Secretary-General position and the ninth consecutive term as a member of the Council. Lee Jae-seop, Director of the ITU-T Secretariat, has declared his candidacy for Deputy Secretary-General in the top-level election held at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in September this year. He will also challenge for the ninth consecutive term as a Council member. Deputy Minister Cho Kyung-sik requested active support for Korea’s advancement to the Deputy Secretary-General and Council member positions through official luncheon events and bilateral meetings with chief representatives of ITU member countries attending this assembly.

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