Korea unveiled next-generation ICT technologies for 5G mobile communications, digital hologram and giga Internet products and services as the first in the world and set out to secure the future ICT industry leadership. Having demonstrated next-generation technologies that are still in the conception stage one after another, Korea is forecast to lead global technological standards. 

On the 20th, ‘World IT Show (WIS),’ the largest ICT exhibition in Korea, was started in BEXCO, Busan. Displaying technologies, products and services proposing directions to be pursued by global ICT industry, it is evaluated that this event is providing an opportunity to check new milestones for the future. 

President Park Geun-hye inspected 5G, Giga Internet and Digital Hologram exhibitions at WIS 2014 and expressed both satisfaction and anticipations, “We would not be able to go back to the past even if we wanted to.” 

On her visit to WIS 2014, President Park congratulated ICT companies for their continuous efforts for R&D and investment and asked them to promote infrastructure investment. “Creative economy blooms on the basis of ICT,” President Park said.

“This will bring benefits not only to Korea, but also people around the world.” President Park added, “I have witnessed the bright future of exemplary creative economy where new added values are created through integration of technologies to what already exists.” 

ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Toure also inspected the digital hologram and highly praised Korea’s potentials for ICT advancement. 

Befitting WIS 2014’s main theme ‘Approaching 5G-era’ and subsidiary theme ‘Beyond communication to ICT convergence service,’ an array of new technologies and products for the future has been put on display. 

“It is important who led giga Internet standardization,” said KT Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu who announced nationwide giga Internet commercialization on the day.

He expressed the will to lead global giga Internet standardization, “We submitted our proposal to Global System for Mobile Communications Association and it was adopted in Dubai.” 

“Foreign countries need to learn from Korea about giga Internet technology,” continued Chairman Hwang. “We will not only create jobs and lead creative economy, but also make our small businesses the hidden global champions.” 

420 domestic and foreign ICT companies, such as Huawei as well as Korea’s small-scale and venture businesses, competitively showcased differentiated technologies, products and services targeting the future society. 

From TV Storm, which developed a broadcasting set top box software as the world’s first, to Korea Rural Community Corporation with its Creative Vitamin Project (rural disaster warning service) and Kyungpook National University with a medical 3D printing technology, a large number of companies, public agencies and also universities submitted their technologies, products and services for exhibition to WIS 2014. 

It suggested a possibility that ICT can not only make people’s lives convenient, but also promote efficiency in all aspects of the society. 

Small-scale ICT companies are particularly determined. Director Lee Sang-jin from District explained the company’s plan to export digital hologram to Southeast Asia and China next year. 

WIS 2014 has solidified its position securely as not only an exhibition, but also a space of global business. 

Overseas buyers queued up for export consultations with global buyers and new product or technology presentations organized by small companies. 

This is analyzed as an evidence for expectations about Korea’s ICT that is preparing for a new turn-around through creative innovation. It is being evaluated that WIS 2014 is functioning successfully as an event to forecast and experience the future ICT trend rather than simply a global exhibition event.