Ministry of Science and ICT Holds 2nd 'Digital and Regional Balanced New Deal Joint Meeting'

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 21st that it held the ‘2nd Digital-Regional Balanced New Deal Joint Meeting’ chaired by Vice Minister Kyung-sik Cho, with the participation of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, chief policy officers from 17 metropolitan and provincial governments nationwide, and heads of related regional Digital New Deal organizations.

This meeting was organized following the announcement of the ‘Korean New Deal 2.0’ strategy at the ‘4th Korean New Deal Strategy Meeting’ chaired by President Moon Jae-in on the 14th, aiming to strengthen the linkage between the Digital New Deal and the Regional Balanced New Deal through communication and cooperation between central and local governments, and to continuously develop Digital New Deal 2.0.

At this meeting, the current status and challenges of major projects being promoted in the 17 metropolitan and provincial governments, mainly in the Digital New Deal sector, were shared and reviewed. Various policy measures were discussed to expand the achievements so far across regions and industries, to revitalize the regional economy and foster new digital industries.

Specifically, the ‘Regional Hub-Centered Artificial Intelligence Expansion Plan’ based on the capabilities and strengths of each region, along with the ‘Foundation Establishment Plan for Revitalizing Regional SW·ICT Industry’ aimed at creating a growth base where good software and ICT companies and jobs are generated in the regions, were intensively discussed.

Additionally, measures to promote digital transformation in regions, including education for local small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners, and support for digital policy consulting for local governments, were also discussed. In particular, the ‘Regional Hub-Centered Artificial Intelligence Expansion Plan’ will reflect regional voices and is scheduled to be submitted to the ‘Emergency Economic Central Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting’ at the end of this month for final approval.

Vice Minister Kyung-sik Cho of the Ministry of Science and ICT stated, “The Ministry will not remain at the current achievements but plans to create a continuously developing and evolving Digital New Deal.” He added, “We will actively strive to strengthen the linkage between the Digital and Regional Balanced New Deals to improve the lives of the people, innovate the regional economy, and establish South Korea as a leading digital nation.”