(Seoul, 17 June 2008) – Tae Won Chey, Chairman of SK Group delivered an opening speech at the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting in COEX, Seoul emphasizing international cooperation to address the issue of digital divide. In his speech, Chey said "We have to work together to level the internet disparity between countries. The internet is a global infrastructure by nature. The more countries have competitive e-readiness, the more global economic and social benefit we can enjoy from the network effect. Therefore, we all need to make the internet more secure and open playing field for everyone."

Chey also said "The efforts to bring the rest of the world into the internet economy will be the foundation of sustainable growth of the global economy. However, to achieve this, I believe inter-governmental coordination is essential".

He continued to focus on global collaboration by saying "We need to remove existing barriers and revise regulatory frameworks in order to promote more innovative business activities. These efforts will facilitate international investment and enhance interoperability of services".

In particular, Chey shed light on the recent trend in the Internet industry where advancement of the Internet often leads to privacy and intellectual property infringement. The chairman warned that these damages are expanding beyond borders and there is a need to establish a collaborative system between countries to control such adverse effects of the Internet. 

Chairman Chey addressed 2,500 participants of the meeting including ministers of 42 OECD countries and leading figures from home and abroad. Through his speech, Chey said "I believe the convergence of broadband mobile and internet will be the driver of the internet economy for the next 10 years".

Regarding the future of the Internet and mobile, Chey said the Internet increases connectivity between people and things anytime and anywhere and thus leading to a great change in economy, society, and politics. Chey expects this tight connectivity and convergence technology to create new values that have never been imagined before.
  
In addition, Chey introduced changes brought by the Internet economy such as power shift from producers to customers. As for the media industry, he talked about rise of Prosumers and the increased influence of the Internet generation grown as digital natives.

Before Chey’s speech, Chairman of Korea Broadcasting and Communications Commission (KBCC) Si Jung Choi made an opening remark and Secretary General of OECD Angel Gurria delivered a welcome speech. The speakers for the opening speech included Viviane Reding, Member of the European Commission responsible for Information, Society and Media; Masashi NAKANO, Senior Vice Minister Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; and Kevin Martin, Chairman of Federal Communication Commission.

The OECD Ministerial Council Meeting officially started today after the preliminary event of ’Stakeholder Forum’ held on June 16. The meeting will include roundtable meetings for five themes and panel meetings

After speaking at the OECD council, Chey also delivered a closing speech at UN Global Compact General Assembly held in Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul on the theme of "Asian Value and Sustainable Management in the Asian Society".