Experts point out that ICT-based quaternary industries are key areas for creating high-quality jobs while Moon Jae-in government has selected job creation as a core national task and prepared for the fourth industrial revolution, the information and communication technology (ICT) policy, which is the basis of the fourth industrial revolution. However, the government is not supporting the establishment of a control tower in preparation for the fourth industrial revolution and ICT and control tower establishment for related organization is still missing.

According to government officials and related industries sources on June 12, Moon Jae-in government is preparing for the fourth industrial revolution in front of the national affairs. However, it is pushing state affairs as a priority.

The new Presidential Committee on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which President Moon Jae-in promised, is also slowing down. Although, the National Assembly Planning Advisory Committee, which serves as the takeover committee of the present government, held a seminar on the Fourth Industrial Revolution on June 9 to discuss the establishment of the Fourth Industrial Revolution Committee, it was only at the basic level. Meanwhile, it is not easy to find the Fourth Industrial Revolution related specific policy measures such as the improvement of the institutionalization of ICT, which is the convergence of innovations in all industries such as medical, transportation, finance and manufacturing. Based on the situation, we can assume that some people are buried in the abolition of telecommunication funding and that they are neglected in discussing the fourth industrial revolution.


The budget plan is also the same. Although, the new government demanded KRW 424.5 trillion, a 6.0 percent increase from the previous year`s budget, the research and development (R & D) items for the fourth industrial revolution were only 1.3 percent increase to KRW 19.7 trillion. The Ministry of Strategy and Finance revealed on June 5 that the supplementary budget for 2017 was not enough to support the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

On the other hand, appointment of the ministers and vice ministers of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and the small venture business department, which can be called the Fourth Industrial Revolution Ministry, are also lagging behind. Especially, the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning is not only the minister but also the first vice minister in charge of science and technology, and the new vice-minister-level science and technology innovation director is also uncertain.

Moon Jae-in government has abolished the Chief of the Future Strategy Office in charge of science and technology and ICT policy in the former government. Instead, the Science and Technology Advisory Office has been established. However, the size of the office has been reduced to less than half of the existing future office rooms.

An industry expert pointed out, "Although the Fourth Industrial Revolution was a hot topic during the last presidential election process, it has now been pushed to a much lower priority after the new government started. He also said, "Although, the new government emphasizes job creation, it cannot draw the accurate sketch of the fourth industrial revolution and ICT policy which can create numerous jobs.

Industry experts argue that ICT is also important for Korean economy to re-emerge in the global low-growth phase. The future market value and job creation potential of AI, Internet of Things (IoT), and fifth generation (G) mobile communications are expected to be unlimited. Kim Sung-chul, a professor at Korea University, mentioned, "ICT is a core growth engine for Korean economy. ICT is still a starter pitcher in Korea. Its platform should be strengthened to create more jobs and to develop better contents.”

By Jung Yoon Hee yuni@


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