The State Department on Friday held the fourth United States-Republic of Korea Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Policy Forum in Seoul, South Korea, which brought together private sector representatives and delegations from the two nations to discuss how the countries can collaborate to advance mutual goals in areas of 5G mobile technology, artificial intelligence, inclusive Internet governance, and data privacy.
“Both countries affirmed their joint commitment to policy and regulatory environments that foster efficiency, innovation, communication, social diversity, inclusiveness and sustainable economic growth,” the two nations said in a joint statement released today.
The U.S. delegation was led by Robert Strayer, deputy assistant Secretary of State for cyber and international communications and information policy, and included members from the Commerce Department, and leading U.S. ICT businesses.
Among the many topics discussed, the nations shared their policy perspectives on how to best commercialize 5G, which has been a hot topic for the administration in spite of uncertainty regarding the best path for a nationwide rollout.
The countries also discussed the application of artificial intelligence–including how to foster proper use of emerging technologies classified as part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution era–and said they would remain partners as breakthroughs emerge.
“The two sides affirmed to work together to share information on the status of technologies and projects of the private sector and enable emerging technologies to bring benefits to people and businesses of the two countries as well as the global economy,” the nations said.
The event comes on the heels of the United States-Republic of Korea Bilateral Cyber Consultations, the fifth iteration of the event, held in Seoul the day prior. The nations plan to hold the next joint ICT Policy Forum in Washington in 2019.
