The Korean government has unveiled its Sixth National Standards Master Plan, a five-year blueprint covering 2026–2030, jointly developed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) and 17 other ministries and agencies. With a total investment of approximately KRW 1.49 trillion (roughly USD 1.08 billion), the plan positions standardization as a core instrument of industrial competitiveness and technology diplomacy. The plan is built around four strategic pillars: 1. Leading Standards in Future Industries and AI Korea has identified 18 priority sectors for international standardizat
On March 17, the Korea Research Institute for Local Administration (KRILA) held a policy seminar titled "The Role of the Government and Local Governments in Realizing a Basic Society" in the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Seoul. The seminar was organized to explore policy directions for guaranteeing the basic livelihoods of citizens amid sweeping structural changes in society — including the rise of AI, low birthrates, an aging population, regional depopulation, and growing polarization — and to discuss the division of roles and cooperation between the central government and loc