[Asia Economy Reporter Joselgina] The government will strategically utilize the ICT sector in the non-face-to-face era by applying digital identity verification to driver's licenses starting in 2021. Additionally, it will invest 180 billion KRW to intensively nurture specialized companies in non-face-to-face technologies such as data, cloud, and blockchain.
The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the morning of the 26th, during the 5th Korean New Deal Ministerial Meeting and the 21st Economic Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting, that the related ministries jointly finalized the "ICT Utilization Plan for Transition to a Non-Face-to-Face Economy." The ministries judged that due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the ongoing digital transformation has accelerated, and to secure global competitiveness in the non-face-to-face era, comprehensive ICT utilization is urgently needed.
Accordingly, the government will actively use digital platforms so that citizens can handle daily tasks non-face-to-face anytime and anywhere. First, digital identity verification will be applied to government employee IDs in 2020 and driver's licenses in 2021, with plans to gradually expand the scope. The expansion of mobile electronic maps will also enable institutions' face-to-face tasks to become non-face-to-face.
A pilot project for delivery robots targeting small business owners will be promoted, contactless functions for kiosks will be developed, and virtual, augmented, and mixed reality solutions will be developed to enable remote collaboration and education among workers.
Furthermore, to realize a healthy life for citizens, an "Artificial Intelligence (AI) Primary Care Doctor" will be provided for 20 diseases to enhance citizens' satisfaction with medical services. Psychological care services, such as overcoming COVID-19 depression, will also be discovered and expanded using AI-based digital therapeutics.
A virtuous cycle structure will be established so that domestic non-face-to-face companies can lead the global market. To this end, support throughout the entire cycle?from technology development and talent cultivation to demonstration labs?will be strengthened.
Core technology development for implementing non-face-to-face services such as remote education and telecommuting will be actively pursued, and a "Digital Open Lab" will be established in 2021 to support the commercialization of digital devices through convergence of ICT new technologies with other sectors such as transportation, manufacturing, and agriculture and fisheries.
Software companies providing non-face-to-face solutions will be matched with customized experts to offer opportunities for solution advancement. Additionally, non-face-to-face service companies will be supported to enhance their capabilities through a "package-type growth program" that includes funding guarantees and overseas expansion consulting.
Specialized companies in non-face-to-face technologies such as data, cloud, and blockchain will also be intensively discovered and nurtured through support amounting to 180 billion KRW next year. This includes 123 billion KRW for corporate data purchase and processing services via data vouchers, 30.5 billion KRW for core cloud service advancement and development support, 14 billion KRW for demand-based intelligent Internet of Things product and service discovery and expansion support, and 7 billion KRW for blockchain demand discovery, consulting, and technology verification support.
Along with this, the government will first conduct security vulnerability diagnosis and safety inspections targeting 300 companies providing non-face-to-face services and products so that citizens can use non-face-to-face services with confidence. Remote education, telecommuting, and online business are included.
To strengthen the security of cloud services, a key infrastructure in the non-face-to-face era, the government will encourage information protection certification for service providers and conduct simulation training. Furthermore, the Regional Information Protection Support Centers will be expanded and reorganized to 17 locations to systematically respond to nationwide cyber threats.
In addition, digital competency education will be provided to digitally vulnerable groups through 1,000 digital learning centers, and standard frameworks for kiosks and other devices to improve information accessibility will be developed. Moreover, to ensure the continuous growth of the non-face-to-face industry, related legal systems will be revised and related systems such as statistics will be improved.
Jang Seok-young, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "Following the Digital New Deal in July, the establishment of this ICT utilization plan has prepared a roadmap to accelerate the national digital transformation," and added, "We will actively promote this plan in cooperation with related ministries so that we can leap forward as a leading country in the non-face-to-face economy through our outstanding ICT innovation capabilities."
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