The nation has joined the Joint Statement Endorsing Principles for 6G issued by 10 countries including the U.S., France and Japan. Seen are visitors trying an urban air mobility simulation at domestic telecom giant KT's pavilion at this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, which began on Feb. 26. (KT's official website)

By Yoon Seungjin

The nation has taken part in the Joint Statement Endorsing Principles for 6G (6G principles) issued by 10 countries including the U.S., France and Japan.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Feb. 27 said Korea joined the declaration announced at this year's Mobile World Congress, the world's largest telecommunications trade show, in Barcelona, Spain.

The governments of the U.S., Korea, Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Japan, Sweden and U.K in July last year began discussing the declaration. The 10 countries agreed on the principles for research and development of 6G wireless communication systems and to support interoperable and secure network connectivity.

The 6G principles say secure and resilient technologies must promote the capacity to protect national security and provide high levels of communications security. They also urge devising global standards that promote sustainability, interoperability, compatibility, openness and security.

The declaration also specified using set standards for seamless interoperability, alleviating the digital divide and building resilient supply chains to promote global market competition.

Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong Ho said, "Based on the 6G Principles, we will do our best to research and develop sustainable, open and secure 6G technologies so that Korea can lead global standards for 6G."

"6G communication technology is the core of the future digital industry as a field with high potential for technological utilization, and our participation in the setting of joint principles for the development of such 6G technology is highly significant," Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul added.

"Our country will continue striving to play a leading role in the launch and development of norms in core and emerging technological sectors so that our country can maintain and enhance national competitiveness in the era of techno-security convergence, where cutting-edge technology determines security."

scf2979@korea.kr