After introductory remarks, the forum began with a keynote speaker explaining how Korea’s ‘fast-fast’ culture has driven its rapid adoption of emerging technology. Korea pioneered CDMA (2G) mobile networks and e-government systems, while early adoption of electronic signature laws facilitated e-commerce growth.
He noted that over-regulation initially benefited Korea but later hindered e-commerce, because of requirements such as strong authentication for online purchases.
Korea also pioneered regulatory sandboxes. The country currently has nine sector-specific sandboxes to test and refine policies. Over 14,000 projects have benefited, but challenges include short permit durations limiting long-term innovation and overly segmented regulations making compliance difficult. Future plans need to include the harmonising of regulations across sectors to streamline approvals and reducing regulatory burdens to enhance innovation.
Digital infrastructure investment
The session on digital infrastructure investment emphasised the need for long-term investment strategies to expand broadband and AI infrastructure.
In Korea internet traffic is rising by 20 per cent annually, with AI-related traffic projected to reach 64 per cent of total data by 2030. Some large content providers (CPs) do not pay network usage fees, impacting telecoms investment. Korea operates a ‘fair share’ principle which seeks to ensure network users pay proportionate fees. Two bills in Korea’s National Assembly propose mandatory contracts for network access fees between telecoms companies and CPs.
Investment challenges in telecoms infrastructure
One speaker noted that, despite rising demand, telecoms revenue has remained stagnant due to market saturation and competitive pricing. In the effort to acquire advanced broadband infrastructure, the telecoms industry faces a $135 billion funding gap in developing nations. Market conditions have led to industry consolidation, with weaker telecoms companies exiting the market. Investors are cautious due to the low return on invested capital, making it difficult to attract funding. It was argued that governments should reduce spectrum costs to allow sustainable network expansion and enable market consolidation to ensure financial viability.
South Korea’s model for digital growth,
Korea has transitioned from being a World Bank loan recipient to a knowledge-sharing partner supporting digital transformation in other economies. The country’s success is attributed to strong broadband infrastructure and rapid digital expansion, government-backed investments in data centres and research institutions, and a well-regulated but innovation-friendly policy environment. South Korea’s mature digital economy, said the panellist, serves as a model for other nations.
The road map to 6G
This session focused on Korean advancements in 6G and international comparisons, highlighting Korea’s early adoption of 5G and its leadership in developing 6G standards. Key advancements in 6G technology were discussed, including AI, quantum computing and machine learning, which will define future networks. The expected shift to terabit-per-second speeds and seamless land-air-sea connectivity will require improved spectrum allocation and integration with satellite communications.
Experts outlined three key 6G pillars: spectrum management – ensuring efficient allocation of mid-, low- and high-band frequencies for coverage and performance ; security and privacy – addressing AI-driven vulnerabilities and stricter data protection; and regulatory agility – the need for flexible frameworks to support rapid technological changes.
Speakers emphasised cost challenges in spectrum pricing and network deployment, advocating international standardisation for economic scalability. The integration of non-terrestrial (satellite) networks with traditional telecoms was also a key theme.
Digital inclusion
The session on digital inclusion addressed the challenges and strategies for bridging knowledge and literacy gaps in a highly connected world. It was noted that a persistent gap remains in global internet connectivity, with 30 per cent of the world’s population still unconnected.
A panellist from Korea outlined the country’s progress in digital inclusion and the need to focus on utilisation and skills beyond connectivity. He highlighted the country’s policies to address digital divides among vulnerable populations, including the elderly and low-income groups. The remaining challenges in Korea include elderly exclusion from digital services such as banking and healthcare, the lack of accessibility for disabled individuals within websites and mobile apps, and education and economic disparities leading to unequal digital opportunities across regions. Steps are being taken to actively support digital literacy programmes and encourage youth participation in internet governance forums.
Cybersecurity governance
The session focused on cybersecurity governance, network security evolution and critical infrastructure protection with an emphasis on AI’s role in security. It brought together experts in digital infrastructure, policy, and security from various sectors, discussing challenges and best practices in mitigating cyber threats.
Panellists noted that increasingly sophisticated cyber threats are necessitating a shift towards zero-trust security models. All communication should be encrypted, access should be session-based and authentication should be dynamic.
Quantum computing poses a future threat to existing encryption methods and new ‘post-quantum’ cryptography will be required. Standard-setting organizations, such as the ISO1 and ITU,2 and countries, such as South Korea, are preparing migration plans for the financial, government and telecoms sectors.
Artificial intelligence
The session focused on the evolving landscape of AI regulation, comparing global frameworks such as the EU AI Act and South Korea’s AI Basic Act. It explored regulatory challenges, the role of AI in cybersecurity, industry-government collaboration and the global implications of emerging AI policies.
South Korea’s AI Basic Act was described by a speaker as less stringent than the EU model, focusing on high-impact AI rather than high-risk AI. There are few penalty provisions (only three violations carry fines). It encourages industry self-regulation rather than strict enforcement. Unlike the EU’s broad regulatory approach, Korea has industry-specific regulations for healthcare, finance, telecommunications and nuclear energy. It was suggested that Korea’s regulatory approach may influence other countries, just as the EU AI Act sets a precedent (the ‘Brussels effect’).
Digital infrastructure governance
The keynote speaker for this session emphasised the UN’s view of the internet as a human right, essential for refugees and democratic movements. He illustrated how the internet revolutionised communication, transforming costly international calls and risky protest flyers into free, globally accessible video sharing. Central to his argument was the promise of net neutrality, which ensures that internet service providers deliver data without discrimination or extra charges. He warned that policies like Korea’s fair share rule, which might force only one party to pay for peering, could undermine this balance. Such measures risk raising costs for content providers, stifling innovation and cultural exchange, and ultimately harming democracy and economic development.
Disinformation and misinformation
This discussion was framed around the challenges posed by new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, deep fakes, and deceptive design strategies (often referred to as dark patterns), which blur the line between authentic and fabricated news.
The role of AI
Artificial intelligence was a recurring theme throughout the session. Several speakers noted that while AI holds promise for monitoring news, crafting response strategies and even assisting with fact-checking in near real-time, there remain significant challenges. Chief among these is ensuring that AI systems remain objective and do not simply echo politically correct but unhelpful narratives. They emphasised that for AI to be an effective tool in combating misinformation, it must be fed high-quality, verified data. The overarching message was that as the information landscape becomes increasingly complex and technology-driven, it is more important than ever for individuals and institutions alike to remain grounded in verified facts and transparent practices, ensuring that the democratic ideals of free speech and public accountability are maintained.
Combating harmful content
The aim of this session was to explore current measures and future strategies to address online harms while emphasising that digital safety is a shared responsibility.
…for AI to be an effective tool in combating misinformation, it must be fed high-quality, verified data
A speaker outlined Korea’s regulatory approach. She explained that, in response to challenges, such as the manipulation of photos into explicit content using AI, Korea established a dual regulatory framework. The Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) oversees over 20 categories of illegal and harmful content, especially digital sex crimes and obscene material, and operates a 24/7 complaint and takedown system. Cases flagged as illegal are escalated for review and harmful content is removed or blocked. A notable tool is the hash database, which stores unique fingerprints of illegal content and is shared with industry players to prevent re-uploading.
In the ensuing discussion, panellists and audience members debated challenges such as adapting hash-based methods to AI-generated content and balancing national sovereignty with global standards. The session concluded by urging collaboration across sectors to create a safer digital ecosystem.
Digital content and culture
The first speaker explained how gaming platforms exemplify the transformational shift in content creation driven by digital devices. Modern smartphones have evolved into multifunctional devices that serve as video players, gaming consoles and social hubs, fundamentally changing the way content is both consumed and produced. He also touched on the impact of emerging technologies such as generative AI, which are lowering production costs and democratising creativity while also raising new regulatory challenges.
A panellist considered the success of the Korean film industry, which reached a remarkable peak in 2019, marked by the global success of films like ‘Parasite’. However, post pandemic there is reduced funding as well as lower movie production numbers and diminished theatre admissions, all of which have contributed to a more challenging investment environment.
Panellists deliberated on balancing user protection with industry growth, addressing issues such as reverse discrimination, evolving privacy norms and the need for regulatory coherence. The consensus was that Korea’s dynamic model can serve as an inspiration worldwide, but continuous adaptation and international cooperation remain essential to thrive in the rapidly changing global digital content landscape.
The Asia Forum was sponsored by Netflix.
This report was drafted using generative AI.
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