Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Defense Ministry and Ministry of Science and ICT cooperate to promote digital technology and realize a strong science and technology-based military
  

-Held the sixth ICT Policy Council between Defense Ministry and the Ministry of Science and ICT
-The two ministries are collaborating to develop ICT for civilian and military use

On Friday, July 14, The Defense Ministry and Ministry of Science and ICT convened for the sixth ICT Policy Council at the Defense Ministry. The purpose of this council was to promote the application of digital technology and artificial intelligence in order to establish a strong, science and technology-based military, as well as to strengthen a cooperative system for ICT convergence between the two ministries.

The sixth session of the council, first initiated in May 2016, was attended by the Deputy Minister for Planning and Coordination of the Defense Ministry and the Director of the Office of ICT Policy of Ministry of Science and ICT. They discussed several topics including: (i) the expansion of cooperation for AI technology convergence and ICT R&D, (ii) the global expansion of domestic defense ICT products, (iii) cooperation for frequency operations related to unmanned systems, (iv) designating the National Information Society Agency (NIA) as a dedicated agency, (v) civilian-military technology cooperation in low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication, (vi) promoting advanced defense ICT convergence and technological exchange, and (vii) inter-ministerial cooperation to realize a digital platform government.

Kang Wan-goo, Deputy Minister of the Office of Planning and Coordination of the Defense Ministry, said, “In order to maximize military operation capability by applying advanced ICT to defense with Defense Innovation 4.0, we need to cooperate with the Ministry of Science and ICT to introduce the advanced innovative technologies of the private sector to defense and to promote the joint development of technologies to be shared by the private sector and the military.”

Kang Do-hyeon, Director of the Office of ICT Policy of the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, “To rise as a leading global nation in digital technology, it is important to promote digital technology in the defense sector and carry out ICT convergence. We will increase cooperation with the Defense Ministry to strengthen national security based on ICT, and ensure that defense sector contributes to the development of ICT industry.”

Both ministries will cultivate national digital capability, realize ‘a robust national defense and a strong science and technology-based military.’ They will also continue to expand cooperation and communication to grow as a leading global nation in digital technology.