S. Korean gov't to speed up digitalization of economy with Korean 'New Deal'

'한국판 뉴딜'…원격교육 플랫폼 구축•비대면의료 확대Artificial intelligence and wireless communication are centerpieces of the Korean version of a New Deal to create jobs and boost growth after the coronavirus pandemic subsides.The government unveiled its plans today to create a fund to support AI development, build sites for robot testing and help businesses launch new services that make use of data.Kim Jae-hee has the details.The basic policy direction for the Korean "New Deal" has now been unveiled.The South Korean government says the project forged to revitalize the South Korean economy after the coronavirus pandemic will be focused on creating a sustainable job market and speeding up the digitalization of the economy.The announcement came after an emergency economic council meeting on Thursday."The 'New Deal' project focuses on three main sectors: building digital infrastructure such as AI for innovative growth, fostering the non-contact services industry for the post-COVID-19 era, and digitalizing Social Overhead Capital by introducing a smart management system for roads and railways."The government unveiled specific key areas to promote,... mainly centered on 5G telecommunication and artificial intelligence.The government says these 10 initiatives have the potential to create sustainable jobs.It also says it will speed up large-scale innovation projects that focus on these areas over the next two to three years.The government will also establish an AI-based remote learning platform,... and expand remote medical services.Details on how the 'New Deal' project will be carried out will be announced next month.The funding would come from a third emergency budget currently being drafted, and from annual budgets through 2022.Kim Jae-hee, Arirang News.