Kim Dong-yeon Agrees to Establish '4th Industrial Revolution Center' with World Economic Forum in Gyeonggi Province

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hun Reporter] Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon, currently attending the World Economic Forum (Davos Forum) to strengthen international exchanges and attract investment, has agreed with the World Economic Forum to establish a 4th Industrial Revolution Center in Gyeonggi Province.

Governor Kim signed a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of the 4th Industrial Revolution Center with Børge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum, at the Davos Congress Center in Switzerland at 3 p.m. local time on the 15th.

Governor Kim Dong-yeon said in his remarks, "Six years ago, I met with Chairman Klaus Schwab to discuss the establishment of the 4th Industrial Revolution Center, and I am pleased that as Gyeonggi Province Governor, I can now keep that promise," adding "It will become a center representing not just Gyeonggi Province but Korea."

Governor Kim has a history of meeting with World Economic Forum Chairman Schwab in 2018 during his tenure as Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, where they discussed the installation of a 4th Industrial Revolution Center in Korea and the advancement of Korean youth in the World Economic Forum.

The 4th Industrial Revolution Center to be established by Gyeonggi Province has provisionally been named the "Korea Innovation Center for Humanity and the Planet."

Governor Kim stated, "The center's name is intended to emphasize the human-centered aspect in technological advancement and the determination to address ecological challenges such as climate crisis," and "The center will focus on three sectors: climate change, smart manufacturing, and startups. In particular, startups are a sector not emphasized by the other 18 centers, which aligns with my campaign pledge to make Gyeonggi Province a startup paradise," he revealed.

He continued, "We will strive for more sustainable operations through participation not only from the private sector but also from academia such as universities," and stressed "The center will serve as a foundation for Korea, which achieved a miracle during the industrialization era, to create another miracle in this era of transformation and actively respond to global challenges."

Børge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum, responded, "Gyeonggi Province is establishing an appropriate and sound operational plan for the center," adding "I hope that the establishment of the 4th Industrial Revolution Center will lead to greater cooperation with Gyeonggi Province."

He further noted, "We are planning a visit to Korea in March," and added "Let us expand ongoing cooperation with Gyeonggi Province in many more areas beyond just the center."

Sebastian Buckup, Director General of the World Economic Forum, who was present at the meeting, remarked, "The 4th Industrial Revolution Center in Michigan, USA, focuses on smart manufacturing. Since Governor Kim has a connection to Michigan, cooperation between the two could be a good idea," drawing attention by mentioning the relationship between Governor Kim Dong-yeon and Michigan.

Meanwhile, the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) is a regional cooperation hub established through consultation between the World Economic Forum and each country or region to facilitate global cooperation and collective response during the great transformation of science and technology termed the 4th Industrial Revolution. Since its first establishment in San Francisco, USA in 2017, there are 18 centers worldwide in countries including Norway, Japan, and India. It plays roles in building industry-academic-research networks, sharing technology trends, and promoting research projects. The province plans to establish the center around May of this year.