"Record Number of International Organization Executives"... Korea Leads Advanced Technology International Standards

Minister Andeok Geun of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is announcing the public discussion on livelihood with the people (semiconductor sector) and related major policy details at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on January 15. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

The number of domestic executives active in international standardization organizations in the advanced technology sector has reached an all-time high, significantly elevating their status. The government plans to lead international standardization of advanced technologies based on this foundation.

On the 7th, An Deok-geun, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, held an 'International Standardization Organization Experts Meeting' at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul to discuss the direction of international standard policies.

The meeting was attended by leaders who determine international standard policies and strategies at ISO and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), including Cho Seong-hwan, newly appointed ISO President this year and advisor at Hyundai Mobis, as well as directors, chairs, and secretaries leading international standard development.

Standardization experts unanimously agreed that in advanced technology fields such as quantum technology and artificial intelligence (AI), international standards serve not only as a means for market entry and securing competitiveness of products but also as a tool to exclude competitors from rival countries. Therefore, it is essential to secure an advantage in the intensifying international standard preemption competition among nations.

Proposed measures included expanding the development of international standard proposals through linking research and development (R&D) with standards, nurturing next-generation experts to promote international standardization, and strengthening standard partnerships with major standard-leading countries.

Among the three major international standardization organizations?ISO, IEC, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)?the National Institute of Technology and Standards is actively engaged in ISO and IEC. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Korea ranks 8th in ISO and 9th in IEC in terms of standardization activity country rankings, which are determined by secretaryship acquisition (20%), full membership rate (20%), and contribution fees (60%).

The number of domestic chairs, secretaries, and conveners (meeting moderators) leading international standardization stands at 263, marking a record high, and the number of international standard proposals is also increasing annually.

The government plans to establish and operate standard forums for 12 advanced industries this year to prepare an international standardization roadmap for domestic technologies. In May, it will also announce a national standardization strategy for advanced industries.

Standard diplomacy will also be strengthened. In the first half of this year, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on standard cooperation will be signed with the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and at the Northeast Asia Standardization Cooperation Forum held in July, bilateral meetings with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will be elevated to the director-general level.

Regular dialogue channels for standard cooperation in advanced fields such as AI, quantum technology, and robotics will be established with the Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Additionally, standard cooperation will be enhanced with countries such as the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom, and MOUs will be signed with allied countries that have requested them, including Qatar and Azerbaijan. A joint workshop with the 10 ASEAN countries is also scheduled for November.

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