Kang Dohyun Steps Down as 2nd Vice Minister of Science and ICT on the 30th
Retires 30 Years After Joining the Former Ministry of Information and Communication
Concludes Role as a Bridge Between the Informatization and AI Eras
Kang Dohyun, former 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, who has passed on the mission of establishing South Korea as an AI powerhouse to his friend of thirty years, advised his junior colleagues at his retirement ceremony to dedicate themselves to national development.
Kang Dohyun, former 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT (fourth from the left in the bottom row), is taking a commemorative photo with junior staff at his retirement ceremony held at the Sejong City government building on the 30th. Photo by Baek Jongmin Tech Specialist
On the 30th, Kang held his retirement ceremony at the Sejong government complex, receiving congratulations from staff. This comes about one year and five months after he took office in February last year.
Kang's retirement holds significant meaning in the history of South Korea's information and communications administration. It was a historic moment as an official who joined the former Ministry of Information and Communication at its inception in 1995 retired as vice minister. Kang witnessed all the critical transitions as South Korea moved from the era of high-speed internet and informatization to the age of AI.
In his farewell address, Kang looked back on his 30 years of public service, repeatedly emphasizing to junior civil servants the importance of "driving change and creating something new." At the core of his message was AI, the field that marked the culmination of his career as a public official.
He said, "Despite countless debates and challenges, I have worked tirelessly to create new national agendas," and added, "As a result, we are now seeing our efforts bear fruit as we enter the AI era."
Kang also stated, "For as long as ten years and as short as seven years, I have been driving AI policy," and encouraged his juniors by emphasizing, "We exist for innovation, and if we do not innovate, we will fall behind."
He continued, "I have always led new changes," and urged, "Do not fear work, but seize it as an opportunity to achieve a sense of accomplishment and contribute to national development."
Kang further emphasized, "Meeting many people and listening to many voices becomes your capability and your asset," and requested his juniors' dedication, saying, "Open the door to a new era with the same spirit we had thirty years ago when we sought to change the world through information and the internet."
Kang Dohyun, former 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT (right), is pinning a badge symbolizing the vice minister on the jacket of the newly appointed 2nd Vice Minister Ryu Jemyung during his retirement ceremony on the 30th. Photo by Ministry of Science and ICT
Kang also broke convention by presenting his farewell address as a presentation, outlining the path he has walked, as well as the incidents, accidents, and policy initiatives that occurred during his tenure as vice minister.
The farewell speech at the ceremony was delivered by Ryu Jemyung, who has built a deep friendship with Kang and was appointed as the new 2nd Vice Minister.
Ryu stated, "Vice Minister Kang was a devoted person who always prioritized his colleagues and the organization," and expressed his ambition, saying, "I will do my utmost to carry on the path Vice Minister Kang has opened, to lead the AI era, and to accelerate digital innovation."
In response to the farewell speech, Kang personally pinned the badge symbolizing the vice minister on Ryu's suit jacket.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
