Korea’s National Information Society Agency (NIA) is a trusted partner to developing countries navigating the digital transformation

Silicon Valley insiders and tech pundits are predicting the arrival of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) by the end of this decade—with news like this in the headlines, it can feel like the technology revolution has gone into overdrive.  

As experts and policymakers around the world struggle to even define AGI, let alone regulate it, Korea’s National Information Society Agency (NIA) is ahead of the trend. NIA’s mission is to tackle social challenges and pave the way for the future of Korea through digital means, with the end goal of ensuring that Korea’s national development thrives and that NIA contributes to leading societal transformation by minimizing the complications of digital technologies such as AI, while maximizing their usability and convenience for society. 

Given the timeliness of this topic and NIA’s expertise, the KWPF newsletter team sat down with NIA Vice President of Global ICT Cooperation Yoon-seok Ko to discuss the transformative potential of today’s new digital technologies for the developing world.  We thank VP Ko for his time and insights.

Q: Please introduce our readers to the National Information Society Agency.

NIA is Korea's leading government agency driving the development of an inclusive, innovative, and resilient digital society. Since its establishment in 1987, NIA has played a pivotal role in Korea's digital transformation journey, evolving from providing support for initial informatization efforts to promoting data-driven innovation and artificial intelligence.

NIA's core mission is strategically structured around four key priorities: 

1. Strengthen national resilience by harnessing advanced AI technologies to tackle pressing societal issues such as public safety and disaster response. 
2. Drive digital transformation by delivering smarter, more efficient, and citizen-centric public services. 
3. Foster a digitally inclusive society by actively bridging the digital divide, ensuring equitable access to and benefits from technological advancements for all citizens. 
4. Close collaboration with national and international stakeholders to enhance Korea's digital ecosystem and disseminate successful models for global advancement.

With extensive experience and know-how in leading Korea's digital transformation, NIA is engaged in diverse international collaborations, and is eager to share insights and partner with nations worldwide in their pursuit of a more inclusive and prosperous digital future.

Q: How do you see the digital transformation contributing to development? 

NIA has a strong track record of collaborating with developing countries in the digital sector. We believe that our experience with digital transformation can offer significant benefits to developing countries in three areas:

1. Bridging the digital divide and enhancing information literacy

Developing countries are primarily seeking immediate solutions to the digital divide. Accordingly, NIA is establishing Information Access Centers (IAC) to improve information accessibility, based on the specific needs of partner countries. NIA has been implementing the IAC project for digital inclusion in partner countries since 2002 and currently has 61 centers in 46 countries. 

Beyond the provision of basic access, there has been growing interest from partner countries in enhancing practical digital literacy, particularly in leveraging AI and data. NIA addresses this through collaborative models, such as those in Nigeria and Bhutan, which aim to ultimately improve the digital capabilities of citizens in these partner countries.

2. Promoting transparent and efficient governance 

Korea possesses extensive experience in digital transformation, ranging from the establishment of a national network infrastructure to the development of e-government, data utilization, and the adoption of AI. This experience is of great interest to our partner countries, as such a digital transformation can improve the efficiency of public services and expand access to information in developing countries.

3. Sharing Korea’s comprehensive digital know-how

Korea achieved a remarkably rapid digital transformation across just 30 years. Through that process, it has accumulated experience in addressing the adverse effects of this transformation, such as the digital divide and internet addiction. This Korean experience holds significant value for partner countries, as it offers not only a roadmap for successful digital transformation but also insights into potential risks and corresponding countermeasures. NIA’s partners have a keen interest in both Korea's successes and its experiences in tackling these challenges. 

Q. As you mention above, digital technologies can come with attendant risks. What are examples of these complications, and how is NIA working to minimize them?

NIA aims to harmonize technological progress and social innovation: the “co-evolution of technology and society.” Our main goal is to support the use of advanced technologies like AI to solve complex social problems such as access to healthcare, education, and digital infrastructure and information. Through this, NIA contributes to South Korea's sustainable development and better quality of citizens' lives.

The agency's strategic approach encompasses two primary areas: (i) the formulation of policies that facilitate the harmonious development of technology and society, and (ii) the implementation of practical, problem-solving strategies through public-private partnerships.

Policy response is crucial for the co-evolution of technology and society. Given the rapid developments we are seeing in AI, ethical issues, data protection, and safety are global concerns. South Korea is a leader in this area, as the second country after the EU to enact a comprehensive AI Basic Act for ethical and safe AI use. This framework not only guides our national efforts but also positions us as a partner for international collaboration on ethical and safe AI deployment, which is crucial for developing nations as they adopt these technologies. 

NIA also actively promotes collaboration between the public and private sectors on AI. At the recent Global Digital Summit in Washington D.C., we partnered with private firms to showcase AI solutions for social challenges. Examples included AI avatars for real-time sign language translation, portable X-ray for image analysis and lung disease detection (which has the potential to be more accessible and affordable in remote or underserved areas), and AI-powered dizziness analysis (which could improve access to specialized healthcare). Representatives from the World Bank and developing countries showed great interest in our booth. They were particularly keen on our tech-based solutions for healthcare and social welfare issues, highlighting a significant global need and potential opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing in leveraging technology for development.

NIA will continue to develop policies for balanced technological and social progress. We are also committed to strengthening partnerships with the private sector to ensure AI positively impacts all parts of society, and we are eager to partner with international organizations and developing nations to ensure these technologies contribute to a more equitable and prosperous future for all.

Q. You are confirmed to participate in the upcoming KWPF Global Forum on Innovation in Agriculture and Food Systems in Busan, Korea, in May. Could you give our readers a “sneak peek” of the themes you plan to cover at the event?

While the specifics of my presentation at the KWPF Global Forum are yet to be confirmed, I anticipate that I will be discussing the transformative potential of digital technologies—particularly artificial intelligence—in revolutionizing agriculture and food systems. Drawing upon NIA’s extensive experience in driving digital transformation across various sectors, I plan to explore how AI-powered solutions can enhance agricultural productivity and optimize the entire food value chain. Furthermore, I will emphasize the role of digital technologies in improving the efficiency and resilience of agricultural supply chains. This could involve exploring how AI and data analytics can optimize logistics, reduce food waste, and enhance traceability from farm to table, ensuring greater food security and safety. My participation in this forum will provide an opportunity to showcase how NIA's digital expertise can be applied to various fields, including agriculture and food systems, and highlight that we stand ready to drive innovation and address critical challenges in this vital domain. 

Learn more about the KWPF Global Forum on Innovation in Agriculture and Food Systems on this event page.