Government: "We Will Create a Local Digital Economy Gross Production of 30 Trillion by 2027"

Announcement of Measures to Strengthen Regional Digital Competitiveness
Promotion of Establishing a Digital-Centered Regional Development System

The government has set a goal to expand local digitalization by achieving a total local digital economy gross production of 30 trillion won and a 50% settlement rate of digital talent by 2027. It also plans to raise the informatization level of digitally vulnerable groups in rural areas, such as farming and fishing communities, to 83% of the national average.

On the 1st, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced the "Plan to Strengthen Local Digital Competitiveness" containing these details.

This is a concrete implementation plan for "Strengthening Local New Industry Innovation Capabilities through Digital Re-creation," one of the nine policies under the "Vision and Strategy for the Local Era" announced by the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. It is promoted as a key task of the "1st Comprehensive Plan for the Local Era" established by the Local Era Committee.

Through this, the ministry aims to support the growth of a competitive local "digital ecosystem" by fostering and settling digital companies and talent, and advancing technology. The plan envisions achieving ▲30 trillion won in total local digital economy gross production ▲50% settlement rate of digital talent from local universities ▲raising the informatization level of digitally vulnerable local groups to 83% of the national average by 2027.

Looking at the main points, the Ministry of Science and ICT plans to create more than five national digital innovation zones nationwide by 2030, each with over 1,000 digital companies concentrated, to establish a local digital innovation ecosystem. This aims to provide a strategic hub for the digital industry comparable to Pangyo Techno Valley in local areas.

When local governments lead the formulation of mid- to long-term growth strategies specialized in hubs such as automobiles and robotics, matching the demand of digital companies and talent, the Ministry of Science and ICT will work with related ministries to provide support programs including assistance for relocation.

Additionally, the ministry will actively build infrastructure based on four new technologies?artificial intelligence (AI), digital twin, blockchain, and metaverse?centered on leading regions. Starting next year, existing software (SW) capability support projects will be gradually consolidated into a "Regional Digital Basic Strength Support" project, and an information security cluster will be established in the southeastern region as a security hub to counter cyber threats.

The Ministry of Science and ICT will foster over 100 small and medium-sized software companies and 5,000 manufacturing companies advancing digital transformation (DX) by 2027 to accelerate the digital transition of local food industries.

Leading projects will also be promoted to develop and demonstrate specialized digital services (XaaS) tailored to each industrial sector. Through this, the plan is to newly expand over 300 digital SOCs based on digital services by 2027. Furthermore, the digital utilization ability of rural residents will be raised to 83% of the general public (78.8% in 2022) to reduce the gap in digital utilization capabilities between regions.

In addition, the Ministry of Science and ICT has prepared a plan to nurture "Digital Leading Local Universities" so that local universities can play a role in leading the growth of the local digital ecosystem.

First, digital talent cultivation projects such as SW-centered universities and the Regional Innovation-Centered University Support System (RISE) will be linked under local government leadership to establish a talent development system for local universities. Also, a flexible contract quota system, which allows enrollment expansion without establishing new departments, will be introduced to local universities focusing on urgent digital fields for talent supply and demand.

By 2027, more than 60% of non-degree advanced and specialized digital education courses will be allocated to non-capital regions to expand field-oriented digital talent demanded by local companies. The "Innovation Academy" will be expanded regionally, and practical digital education based on regional industry demand will be strengthened through the "Innovation Square."

The Ministry of Science and ICT will also establish policy governance for balanced national digital development. A "Regional Digital Strategy Committee," including the 2nd Vice Minister of Science and ICT, deputy heads of metropolitan local governments, related ministries, and the Digital Platform Government Committee, will be formed. Additionally, a "Special Committee on Local Digitalization (tentative name)" will be newly established within the Local Era Committee to ensure that local digital innovation becomes a major agenda of the local era.

Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT said, "Going forward, by prioritizing local autonomy and supporting unique digital growth strategies for each region, we will create a competitive digital ecosystem where talented individuals actively challenge startups and global startups can emerge even in local areas."

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