Korea announces events for ICT meeting

South Korea's telecom and science ministry said Sunday that it has drawn up detailed events for a global conference on information and communication technologies (ICTs) slated to start in the country in October.

South Korea is set to host the 19th International Telecommunications Union (ITU) plenipotentiary conference in Busan, the country's largest port city, from Oct. 20 through Nov. 7.

The conference, which is held every four years and comprises ITU's 193 member states, decides on the strategic direction of the Union, and elects ITU's management.

According to the ministry, South Korea is planning multiple events on the sidelines of the conference to showcase the development and future vision of the country's broadcasting and telecommunication technologies. 

IT Show 2014, tailored after the Mobile World Congress and other global trade shows, will be held from Oct. 20 to 23 to introduce brand new ITC products and technologies, with various other events such as "Mobile 360" and "Health IT Conversion Show" also scheduled.

A global ICT premier forum is planned for leading scholars and corporate chief executives to discuss the future of ICT.

The ministry launched a preparatory committee and a planning group for the ITU conference last October. The ministry said it expects the conference to raise the brand value of South Korea and Busan and provide local companies with a chance to tap into overseas markets. 

The conference is expected to generate an economic ripple effect of some 712 billion won ($677.2 million) as about 3,000 participants and 300,000 tourists are expected to visit the country, the ministry said earlier. (Yonhap)