New Chairman Kang Myung-soo of the Korean Standards Association.

Former Standing Commissioner Kang Myung-soo of the Korea Trade Commission (KTC) took office as the 25th chairman of the Korean Standards Association at DT Center, KSA headquarters, in Samseong-dong, Seoul, on April 29. One day earlier, KSA held the 51st general assembly meeting at KSA headquarters and appointed ex-KTC standing commissioner Kang to be the 25th chairman.

KSA Chairman Kang, born in Naju, Jeollanam-do, earned a bachelor’s degree from Seoul National University Economics Department, a master’s degree from SNU Graduate School of Public Administration, and a doctorate from University of Missouri Colombia.

He began his public duty career after he passed the 35th higher administrative examination in 1992.

Kang held prominent positions, such as deputy head of Korea Mission in Taipei, director in charge of export & import, bio & nano and information & telecommunications police at the predecessor of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE).

He was also a councilor with the Korean Embassy in Japan, director general in charge of trade and cooperation at MOTIE and MOTIE spokesman and standing commissioner with KTC.

In his inaugural speech, Chairman Kang said, “KSA will diversify businesses corresponding to trends of the 4th Industrial Revolutions such as digital transformation, carbon neutrality and contactless services while ramping up competitiveness by expanding business areas through the employment of ICT in the existing businesses and building foundation for future growth.”

KSA will do its utmost in securing a leadership position in the value-added businesses, and expanding efforts to land the government’s core businesses, he added.

Chairman Kang Myung-soo exchanges greetings with KSA officials after he took office as the 25th chairman of the Korean Standards Association at DT Center, KSA headquarters, in Samseong-dong, Seoul, on April 29. (Photos: KSA)

KSA Operates Blockchain Expert Development Course

KSA will nurture blockchain experts as part of efforts to foster digital manpower responsible for the core tasks of the Korean New Deal.

KSA revealed a plan to nurture working-level manpower related to AI, blockchain and 3D printing technology through the “Seoul ICT Innovation Square Project,” managed by the National IT Promotion Agency (NIPA).

The Korea IT Business Promotion Association will organize the AI and blockchain convergence program of the Seoul ICT Innovation Square Project.

A poster to publicize an AI and blockchain convergence program, to be offered by the Korea Standards Association under the Seoul ICT Innovation Square Project.

Korea Association of ICT Promotion (KAIT) and KSA will participate in the program. KSA will be responsible for the operation of a blockchain educational course.

KSA plans to nurture more than 800 blockchain experts by 2022.

Education will be offered free of charge, and company officials, would-be starts-up businessmen, college students and graduates, and any person who are interested in blockchain can sign up for applications.

Applications can be submitted through the website of the Seoul ICT Innovation Square Project.