#South Korea and EU to jointly develop #5G mobile technology

An agreement signed in Seoul today is a milestone in the global race to develop 5G mobile technologies. Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission for the Digital Agenda, and Mr Mun-Kee CHOI, South Korea's Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP) have agreed to work towards a global definition of 5G and to cooperate in 5G research. They also agreed on the need for harmonized radio spectrum to ensure global interoperability and on the preparation of global standards for 5G.

Both sides signed a Joint Declaration on Strategic Cooperation in Information Communications Technology (ICT) and 5G, agreeing to deepen discussions in the area of Net Futures (network and communications, 5G, cloud computing), an element of on-going relations on ICT topics. Both sides will also work towards a coordinated call for research project proposals, to be launched in 2016. An industry memorandum of understanding will be signed between the EU’s 5G Infrastructure Association (whose members include Alcatel-Lucent, Atos, Deutsche Telekom, Ericsson, Nokia, Orange, Telecom Italia, Telenor and Telefonica) and South Korea’s 5G Forum.

Vice President @Neelie KroesEU said "5G will become the new lifeblood of the digital economy and digital society once it is established. Both Europe and South Korea recognise this. This is the first time ever that public authorities have joined together in this way, with the support of private industry, to push forward the process of standardisation. Today’s declaration signals our commitment to being global digital leaders.”

5G is a new network technology and infrastructure that will bring the capacities needed to cope with the massive growth in the use of communication – especially wireless – technologies by humans and by machines. 5G won't just be faster, it will bring new functionalities and applications with high social and economic value. (see MEMO/14/129 on What 5G can do for you)

The two sides reaffirmed to strengthen the agreement of the November 2013 summit meeting, where both sides agreed on promoting R&D collaboration in the area of ICT. As a follow up, both sides decided to set up a Korea-EU ICT working group to prepare for ICT R&D cooperation as well as relevant policy discussions in the areas of 5G, Cloud and Internet of Things (IoT), and eventually to launch jointly funded R&D programs (’coordinated call’) in 2016-2017.

The two sides reaffirmed to strengthen the agreement of the November 2013 summit meeting, where both sides agreed on promoting R&D collaboration in the area of Information Communications Technology (ICT). As a follow up, both sides decided to set up a Korea-EU ICT working group to prepare for ICT R&D cooperation as well as relevant policy discussions in the areas of 5G, Cloud and Internet of Things (IoT), and eventually to launch jointly funded R&D programs (’coordinated call’) in 2016-2017.

The two sides recognised the great importance of timely developing the next generation of mobile communication networks (5G), because the communications infrastructure will be the backbone of the future digital economy, creating more and better jobs, and contributing to a sustainable economic growth for the mutual benefit of the Republic of Korea and the European Union (EU).

The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in the field of the future generation of communication networks (5G), fostering global consensus on the definition of 5G, developing common interest in research activities, harmonising radio spectrum policy to ensure global interoperability and preparing global standardization for 5G.

The two sides also agreed to jointly work in the area of future mobile network on the following:

To strive to reach a global consensus, by the end of 2015, on the broad definition, the key functionalities, and target time table for 5G.

To work together to explore further possibilities in cooperating and implementing joint research actions in the field of 5G, to be launched in 2016. To work together towards global standards for 5G, in support of ongoing standardization in relevant fora, such as 3GPP and ITU.

To cooperate to facilitate the identification of globally harmonised radio frequency band to meet the additional spectrum requirements for 5G, and to reinforce cooperation in the context of ITU and WRC.

The two sides recognised the importance of public-private partnerships for 5G, and expressed support for the deepening of interactions and exchanges between industry associations dealing with 5G in the EU and in Korea.

South Korean health officials visit USA for nuclear attack preparedness drills

Officials from the Korean Ministry of Health will visit the Augusta area Monday, Sept. 23 to learn more about disaster preparedness, including the threat of smaller or improvised nuclear attacks that surfaced in the aftermath of the Cold War.
Six leaders, including Soo Yeop Hyun, Director of the ministry’s Division of Emergency Care, will visit the Georgia Regents University Health Sciences Campus, the Augusta Fire Department and the Columbia County Emergency Management Agency.
The South Korean team is making similar fact-finding visits to Atlanta and Washington, D.C., as part of an ongoing initiative to optimize the country’s preparedness for manmade and natural disasters, said Dr. Phillip Coule, Vice Chairman of Business Development in the Medical College of Georgia Department of Emergency Medicine and Hospitalist Services and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Disaster Life Support Foundation, Inc., which is based on the GRU campus.
“South Korea is a strong partner in the increasingly global initiative to maximize response to and recovery from natural and manmade disasters,” Coule said.
The NDLS Foundation oversees a series of educational programs that better prepare health care professionals and emergency response personnel for mass casualty events. Courses are comprehensive, all-hazards, and multi-disciplinary and were developed by MCG, the University of Georgia, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, and Texas A&M School of Public Health.
MCG and the NDLS Foundation have worked with Seoul National University Hospital for more than five years and currently operate five training centers in South Korea, Coule said. Additionally, Korean emergency medical services personnel regularly complete training in Augusta.
“It’s been as mutually beneficial relationship as our Asian colleagues have provided feedback that has assisted ongoing efforts to improve disaster response programs,” Coule said.
During this Augusta visit, Korean Ministry of Health officials will visit the Emergency Department at GR Health System as well as a decontamination facility on the campus. They’ll discuss issues such as the best approaches to stockpiling supplies in light of the reality that a nation’s largest cities are the likeliest targets for attack, Coule said. They’ll also discuss maximizing human survival in the aftermath of smaller nuclear attacks.
The recent North Korean nuclear threat along with the tragedy at the Boston Marathon were the focus of the NDLS Annual Meeting this summer cosponsored by MCG and the nonprofit NDLS Foundation. The meeting provided an opportunity for responders such as firefighters, physicians, paramedics, social workers and military personnel, to learn more about optimal disaster response.

Stay with Koreastay and Win a Great Prize!

Koreastay is a Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) brand that certifies city accommodation. The selected homestays and guesthouses offer international visitors a special opportunity to experience Korean culture and lifestyle by living with a Korean family.

 The KTO selected 250 host families after conducting a strict assessment according to such criteria as their command of foreign languages, absence of a criminal record, residential environment, guestroom & cleanliness, service and convenience. Later this year, the KTO plans to certify further 200 host families.

 The KTO’s Koreastay program is attracting favorable reviews for its good, reliable accommodation, and has become hugely popular particularly among backpackers, school trips, cultural tour groups and people interested in Korean culture. Room rates vary but start at around 30USD. The biggest advantage of Koreastay is that you can enjoy various cultural activities and experience the real charm of Korea through a friendly host.

 This year the KTO has adopted a guesthouse certification system to meet the soaring demand for tourism accommodation. The KTO will celebrate it by offering special prizes to the first 100 guests who stay for more than five nights with Koreastay between September 23th and the end of this year. The special prizes will include one non-verbal performance ticket, one ‘experience’ ticket (for making Korean cuisine), a Korea pass card (20,000KRW), and a T-money card (20,000KRW), among others.(www.koreastay.or.kr)

 If you are planning to visit Korea, then Koreastay is the perfect place for tourists seeking budget accommodation. Furthermore, Koreastay offers groups (more than 20 guests) a host matching service and souvenirs.

(Inquires: Korea Tourism Organization New-Delhi Branch , TEL: 0124-4921200