The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference has kicked off in Busan. The conference, which started on October 20, will continue for three weeks until November 7.

Some 3,000 representatives, including 140 ministers and vice ministers from 170 nations, including China, Russia and Poland, are taking part in the conference. This is the second time for the ITU conference to be held in Asia since it took place in Japan in 1994.

The ITU consists of 193 members and deals with issues surrounding information and communications technology (ICT), including the Internet, regulations, standards, cyber security and satellite radio wave frequencies.

Various issues will be discussed at the ongoing conference: public policy for the Internet; the role of ICT in dealing with climate change and environmental protection; protection for children online; and, the enhancement of disabled people's access to ICT.



President Park gave the opening speech on October 20 at the conference, being held at the BEXCO convention center in Busan. She said, "I suggest that the international community makes efforts to reduce the gap in the use of information and communications technology around the world so that it can be used to enhance human rights and welfare, regardless of region, country, sex or class. We need to deal with the concern that the digital revolution could expand the gap in the use of ICT between different countries and between different regions."

For issues regarding the "Internet of Things" (IoT), the president said, "Recently, everything has gotten connected via the Internet and enormous amounts of data are analyzed and processed remotely and intelligently. This drives the convergence of technology and industry. As the boundary of ICT is greatly expanded and a diverse ecology is formed, we now have to arbitrate between much more complicated interests to set up technological standards and international rules that will form order in cyberspace."




"With this conference, I hope that international cooperation and action will materialize to help everyone in the world who can benefit from the hyper connected digital revolution," the president said. "To lead such a hyper connected digital revolution, Korea will establish its Giga Internet network nationwide by 2017, strive to develop related technology and upgrade infrastructure to commercialize the fifth generation of mobile communications services for the first time in the world, all by 2020."

"Korea's experience in spreading broadband, establishing online government services and developing the creative industries can be a useful model for other nations as they make related policies," President Park said. "Korea has pursued a variety of cooperative projects, including training policymakers and providing policy advice and support in establishing online government services. Korea will further share its experience with the international community."

In addition to this conference, the World IT Show (WIS) will be held at BEXCO from October 20 to 23. The WIS is one of the major ICT shows, along with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the Mobile World Congress (MWC). The main themes of this year's WIS are "Approaching 5G-era" and "Beyond communication to ICT convergence service."





At the World IT Show, Samsung Electronics showcased the transmission of UHD video images to TV via real time streaming, powered by 5G technologies. For the first time in the world, it showed 5G capability in a car driving at 60 kilometers per hour. Also, LG Electronics unveiled its 5G plans, where UHD video images can be transmitted via smartphones.

In addition, the Global ICT Forum will be held on October 27 and 28, and the Busan Fireworks Festival will take place on October 25 and 26. Also in Busan, the Asia Song Festival is scheduled for November 2.

At the conference, there will be elections for 65 officials, including the next ITU secretary general and council members.

By Limb Jae-un
By Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Cheong Wa Dae
jun2@korea.kr