“We would like to introduce Korea’s advanced information and communications technologies (ICT),” said journalists from 12 countries who visited Korea to report on the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference, which has been taking place in Busan since October 20.

They have been on a busy schedule to introduce the present and the future of the rapidly changing ICTs, traveling from Busan to Seoul. They all agreed that, “It is amazing to see Korea’s advanced IT technology and how Koreans actively use IT as part of their daily routine.”



The journalists are from the Hindustan Times of India, the Sin Chew Daily of Malaysia, Uzreport TV from Uzbekistan, TVP, the state broadcaster in Poland, TVR from Romania, Pravo from the Czech Republic, El Pais from Brazil, Excelsior from Mexico, JRNA from Iran, the Borneo Bulletin from Brunei, and the Daily Mirror from Sri Lanka. Their itinerary in Korea included visits to the LG CNS Sangam IT Data Center, the National Information Society Agency and to Seoul National University Bundang to witness the development of ICT and the use of advanced smart technology across Korea.



They will spend a few more days in Seoul to visit tourist attractions such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Jongmyo Shrine, to see K-pop-related locations, and to visit shopping areas, all while reporting on both the traditional and modern aspects of Korean culture, fashion and cosmetics. KOCIS Director Kim Jae-Won said, “I hope your visit to Korea can help broaden your understanding of our culture, as well as of our ICT development.”

The invited journalists have all reported on Korea’s ICT infrastructure and industry in their media back home. Their main issue of interest, however, seemed to be the differences between each of their countries' culture and current situation and that found here in Korea.

Korea.net sat down with some of these journalists to listen to their thoughts about their time in Korea.

Gulnoza Khusanova, reporter for Uzreport TV, Uzbekistan

- What issues at the ITU conference are you most interested in?

Cyber security would be it. The agendas mentioned in the keynote speech of the chairman of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2014, Min Won-ki, were also interesting. The chairman said that all global issues, including environmental changes, will be solved, ultimately, by IT developments. His remarks were impressive. The important thing is to achieve human-centered development.

- What sideline events at the ITU conference do you want to attend?

Personally, I would say the IT show was the most interesting event because I was able to see some of the newest technologies. These technologies are not yet commercialized.

- What do you think about Internet use and IT in Korea?

I was told many times that Korea is an IT superpower. I have witnessed this development and it is amazing. Korea is playing a leading role in the ICT sector.

- After your visit to the ITU conference, what aspects of Korea do you want to show your audience back home?

In Korea, we can see IT technology everywhere. It is impressive to see Korea’s capability to use IT. Koreans enjoy using IT and their lives are exposed to technology. I would like to show Korea’s everyday use of IT to my audience back home.

- Based on your Korea itinerary, which places do you most want to visit?

I visited the LG CNS Sangam IT Data Center and Seoul National University Bundang. It was awesome to see how they use IT and smart technology there. If Uzbekistanis could use such advanced technology, it would greatly contribute to economic development in the future.

Choong Ying Qin, from the Sin Chew Daily, Malaysia

- What issues at the ITU conference are you most interested in?

All the programs are interesting. Among them, I was most interested in the program about future devices.

- Please tell us which IT technologies would be most useful or convenient for your friends back home.

I would say smart city and smart transportation technologies. Malaysia is suffering from serious traffic congestion. If we could learn from Korea’s smart transportation system and apply it to Malaysia, it would be really helpful.

- What do you think about Internet use and IT in Korea?

Korea is equipped with advanced science and IT, and has the capability to use it by adapting to the latest trends.

- After your visit to the ITU conference, what aspects of Korea do you want to show your audience back home?

I would like to introduce Korea’s advanced, effective and systemic application of technology to my home country. I hope Malaysia could learn such aspects in order to achieve further development. Korea makes good use of the Internet and mobile technologies and holds good capability to use such technology. Malaysia and other developing countries should learn this from Korea.

Annabelle Mukhia, from the Hindustan Times, India

- What issues at the ITU conference are you most interested in?

Everything is of interest to me. Korea has become an IT superpower in such a short time. India is also an IT stronghold, but we are more based on talented human resources. However, Korea seems to have achieved development in both hardware and software. So, it is interesting to compare IT development in both countries.

- After your visit to the ITU conference, what aspects of Korea do you want to show your audience back home?

I want to show the modernity of Korea as a country which has achieved IT prowess in a short period of time.

- Based on your Korea itinerary, which places do you most want to visit?

I visited Busan and Seoul. Both places are wonderful and have their own charms. Busan has wonderful beaches while Seoul has its own charms as a metropolitan city. Korea is truly a beautiful country.

Mugurel Cosmin Istode, producer at TVR, Romania

- After your visit to the ITU conference, what aspects of Korea do you want to show your audience back home?

Through my visit to Korea for the ITU conference, I was able to get to know more about Korea, Koreans and Korean culture. I was surprised to see Korea’s advanced IT. I hope Romania could learn IT development from Korea by cooperating, which would greatly help boost bilateral cooperation.

- Based on your Korea itinerary, which places do you most want to visit?

I visited Busan and Seoul and both places are wonderful. I especially liked the beach in Busan. The busy city life of Seoul was good, too. I would also like to thank KOCIS for supporting all this.

Andrzej Lewczuk, from TVP, Poland

- After your visit to the ITU conference, what aspects of Korea do you want to show your audience back home?

This is my third visit to Korea. Whenever I visit, I am amazed to find how Korea is changing with technological development.

- Based on your Korea itinerary, which places do you most want to visit?

I was interested in visiting the main fish market in Busan and the fashion streets in central Seoul, like the Myeong-dong and Namdaemun Market areas. I reported about the fish market, Jagalchi Market, in Busan while there. I will report about the fashion streets of Seoul, soon. Personally, I would also like to get to know more about Korea’s native animal breed, such as the Jindo dog.

Article by Yoon Sojung
Photos: Jeon Han
Korea.net Staff Writers
arete@korea.kr