Shinan-gun Proposal for 'Island Data Dam' Construction Gains Momentum

Assemblyman Yongbin Lee's National Audit Questioning, Minister of Science and ICT Promises "Will Establish"

On August 5th, a meeting on the Korean New Deal and the establishment of the Island Data Dam was held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building. (Photo by Sinan-gun)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] Recently, Congressman Lee Yong-bin (Gwangju Gwangsan-gap) received a response from Minister Choi Ki-young of the Ministry of Science and ICT, stating that they will "make efforts to establish the 'Island Data Dam.'"

Sinan County (Governor Park Woo-ryang), which is promoting the construction of the 'Island Data Dam' as part of the 'Korean New Deal Project,' is gaining momentum.

At the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee’s audit held on the night of the 22nd, Congressman Lee Yong-bin pointed out, "There is a lack of island data to the extent that the number of islands, which are the starting points of South Korea’s territory, territorial waters, and airspace, differs by ministry," and requested, "Please report on the plan for the Ministry of Science and ICT to take the lead in promoting the Island Data Dam construction project within the big data platform project."

In particular, Congressman Lee emphasized, "Islands are rich in renewable energy resources such as wind power, tidal power, and solar power, which are key resources of the Korean New Deal project promoted by the Moon Jae-in administration, as well as historical, cultural, tourism, and marine fisheries resources," adding, "Collecting, processing, and utilizing these as data will become a treasure trove of a new economic ecosystem."

Minister Choi Ki-young of the Ministry of Science and ICT actively agreed with Congressman Lee’s inquiry during the audit, saying, "I strongly agree." Furthermore, Minister Choi promised, "The 'Island Data Dam' can be included in the big data platform construction project promoted by the Ministry of Science and ICT, and we will build it together."

Governor Park Woo-ryang of Sinan County expressed his gratitude, saying, "Despite many pressing national issues, I would like to thank Congressman Lee Yong-bin, who emphasized the necessity of constructing the 'Island Data Dam' in the main inquiry of the national audit, and Congressman Seo Sam-seok, who serves as the chairman of the National Assembly Island Development Research Group and is working quietly and actively for the development of South Korea’s island policies, along with the residents of Sinan County."

Governor Park added, "This proposal for the construction of the 'Island Data Dam' is not about asking for consideration for underdeveloped islands, but about actively utilizing the value of islands that possess the infinite core driving force of the Korean New Deal." He continued, "Although there is still a long way to go, including securing related budgets, since the Minister of Science and ICT, the head of the relevant ministry, promised this at the National Assembly audit, the construction of the 'Island Data Dam' is expected to proceed without any setbacks."

Meanwhile, in June, Sinan County first proposed the construction of the 'Island Data Dam' as a core task of the Korean New Deal project, citing the lack of accurate and integrated data on the islands at the forefront of South Korea’s territory and the renewable energy, historical, and cultural resources those islands possess.

This proposal was immediately accepted by Congressman Lee Yong-bin, a member of the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee, and Congressman Seo Sam-seok (Jeonnam Yeongam-Muan-Sinan), a member of the Agriculture, Forestry, Oceans and Fisheries Committee. In August, they held a policy forum at the National Assembly to publicize the necessity of the 'Island Data Dam.'

At that forum, Yang Hyang-ja, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party and a member of the National Assembly Planning and Finance Committee, and Yoon Young-duk (Gwangju Dongnam-gap), who drafted the 'Public Ferry System' as a pledge of Moon Jae-in during the presidential election, also attended and promised "generous support," which became a hot topic.