DETAILS OF “KOREAN NEW DEAL”

[Anchor Lead]

The government has unveiled the details of the so-called "Korean new deal," which entails digital-based large IT projects. Ten projects in three sectors will be selected to implement digital technologies and contactless services in everyday life.

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​Ordering in and studying primarily at home... With the coronavirus pandemic profoundly changing people's daily lives, telecommunication has become indispensable. The ample amounts of data used in a solid telecom network and storage space have made change more palpable than ever before. The Korean New Deal is designed to speed up change.

[Soundbite] HONG NAM-KI(MINISTER OF STRATEGY AND FINANCE) : "The goal is to create digital-based jobs by accelerating the digitization of our economy and promoting contactless services as well as facilitating economic innovation."

The New Deal is aimed at creating jobs through ten projects in three sectors -- digital foundation, contactless services and digitization of state infrastructure -- by having artificial intelligence utilize plentiful data and digitize roads and tap water facilities.

[Soundbite] KIM YONG-BEOM(1ST VICE MINISTER OF ECONOMY AND FINANCE) : "Many young people have lost jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic. The projects are expected to contribute greatly to creating jobs."

The projects are expected to create new jobs in the process of strengthening of digital security and expanding storage space by installing sensors on roads, as well as in processing of private information in digital maps. However, the digitization process could jeopardize the jobs of service sector workers and the elderly, who are less familiar with digital technologies.

[Soundbite] KIM JONG-JIN(KOREA LABOR AND SOCIETY INSTITUTE) : "The coronavirus pandemic has largely affected temporary workers, small businesses, the dining and hospitality sectors, women, freelancers and special employment workers. Digital sector jobs focusing excessively on young people and contactless services have only a limited effect in overcoming the job crisis."

The government will announce how the Korean New Deal will be implemented early next month after working out the details.