International 3-D Society to open Korean branch in May

KT Corp., the country’s largest fixed-line service operator, said Thursday it will lead the launch of the International 3-D Society’s Korean branch next month.

KT organized a reception for the creation of a new country branch, inviting experts and industrial leaders in the field of 3-D, including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, broadcasters KBS, SBS, EBS and KT Skylife. Participants also included CJ E&M Pictures, Lotte Cinema, ShowEast and movie directors Shim Hyung-rae and Kim Tae-kyun.

The Korean branch of the U.S.-based I3DS will work on strengthening international cooperation through its global network and developing a 3-D convergence business model.

It will also nurture 3-D experts through education and support the production of 3-D content, and hold award ceremonies related to 3-D material, said KT officials.

“We will lead a new era of creation with 3-D media and establish a 3-D industry which could lead the next-generation technologies with the country’s own 3-D technologies,” said Choi Doo-hwan, president of the technical institution at KT.

He also said the group plans on globalizing its own proprietary content by playing its role as the connection point for 3-D experts in different areas.

The I3DS, which is currently taken part in by globally well-known firms such as Dreamworks and Walt Disney, is composed of three committees ― the U.S., EU and Asia committees. Since being established in January last year, some committee members ― SONY, IMAX and Discovery ― have set up a joint venture, which is a 3-D specialized broadcast network, called 3NET.

By Cho Ji-hyun (sharon@heraldcorp.com)