On December 28, 2022, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced its work plan for 2023. Embodying the Ministry’s major policy goals and initiatives in the TMT sector, the work plan sets out eight core tasks under three major strategies for science, technology and digital innovation in 2023 as follows:
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Major Strategies
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Core Tasks
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Development of strategic technologies and future industries
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① Develop Korea’s space economy
② Foster national strategic technologies in full scale
③ Get a head start on future industries based on new technologies
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Full-scale dissemination of digital technology
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④ Promote the daily use of digital technologies
⑤ Expand K-digital to global
⑥ Create a digital inclusive and safe society
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Talent and regional development
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⑦ Cultivate and secure key talents to lead innovation
⑧ Promote science, technology and digital innovation in all regions
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Among the core tasks, the following may have a direct impact on TMT businesses:
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Core Tasks
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Plans and Implications
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Get a head start on future industries based on new technologies
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(Quantum) Legislate bills related to quantum technologies
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(6G) Introduce a frequency supply and management system to foster autonomous driving and UAM (first half of 2023)
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(Metaverse/Blockchain) Support metaverse and blockchain technologies, including for substantiation of metaverse platform, development of technologies for immersive contents, and blockchain projects for public use (e.g., online voting, shared management of public subsidies)
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Promote the daily use of digital technologies
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(Promotion of the daily use of AI) Implement “AI-for-all Project” for vulnerable groups – this may lead to new legal obligations for AI-related businesses
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(Digital wallet) Establish standardization and security system for interworking between electronic identification certificates and digital wallets – this may lead to new license and permit requirements
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Expand K-digital to global
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(Establishment of a digital economy-based legal system) Legislate four laws: (i) “Framework Act on Digital Society” to build the foundation of digital society; (ii) “Framework Act on AI” to build, and secure the reliability of, AI ecosystem; (iii) “Special Act on Metaverse” that will include the definition of metaverse, etc.; and (iv) “Act on Digital Inclusiveness” to ensure nondiscriminatory digital benefits
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(K-Cloud) Establish “Comprehensive Plan to Support the Cloud Industry” to expand the use of cloud services, promote the SaaS ecosystem and support data centers – this may lead to relaxation of certain legal obligations of business operators
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Create a digital inclusive and safe society
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(Re-establishment of the digital safety net) Establish “Comprehensive Plans to Secure Digital Service Stability” to promote safe and seamless digital services – this may lead to additional regulations, in addition to the recently enacted amendments to the Network Act and other laws relating to the recent fire incident at data centers
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(Expansion of digital inclusiveness) Introduce a “Universal Voucher” system as a pilot program to ensure vulnerable groups’ access to digital services (second half of 2023) – this may lead to new legal obligations for service providers
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In addition to those laid out in the 2023 work plan, other significant legislative and policy developments expected this year include, among many others, an overhaul of the Telecommunications Business Act and introduction of self-regulation of online platforms. As these developments could have a profound impact on your businesses, we advise to closely monitor relevant legal and policy trends and consider taking proactive measures, including submitting formal opinions on proposed legislations and administrative policies.
[Korean Version]
