ITU-T Study Groups
Newswise — Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) has achieved significant milestones at the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24), the highest decision-making body for telecommunications standardization, by securing six leadership positions. This achievement further solidifies South Korea’s pivotal role in setting essential directions for ICT standardization and undertaking key activities for the advancement of the ICT industry.
ETRI announced that at the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), held from October 15 to 24 in New Delhi, India, it secured six leadership positions for the next study term (2025–2028) and successfully drove the adoption of two new resolutions. These accomplishments further reinforce ETRI’s leadership in the global standardization landscape.
ETRI secured the following leadership positions in ITU-T study groups for the upcoming term (2025–2028), namely Hyoung Jun KIM as Chair of the Study Group 20 (Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Cities), Byung Chan KIM as Vice-Chair of the Study Group 5 (ICT and Circular Economy), Namseok KO as Vice-Chair of the Study Group 11 (Signaling, Protocols, and Test Specifications), Kangchan LEE as Vice-Chair of the Study Group 13 (Future Networks), Taesik CHEUNG as Vice-Chair of the Study Group 15 (Optical Transport Networks), and Shin-Gak KANG as Vice-Chair of the Study Group 21 (Multimedia and Broadcasting)
These leadership roles at international standardization bodies are highly significant, as they determine the direction of standardization and are critical to the success of establishing global standards. Notably, Dr. Hyoung Jun KIM, who has been re-elected as Chair of SG20, has been leading the group since March 2022. His continued leadership ensures that South Korea remains at the forefront of standardizing IoT and smart city technologies, which is expected to significantly enhance national technological competitiveness.
The vice-chairpersons appointed during this assembly are also expected to play crucial roles in expanding South Korea’s influence on international standardization efforts across various ICT domains.
These six leadership positions secured by ETRI are anticipated to have a significant impact, especially as these technologies are commercialized and widely adopted, potentially generating substantial economic benefits for the nation.
Moreover, eight new resolutions were approved during this assembly, including pivotal resolutions on the Metaverse and Digital Transformation, led by ETRI. These achievements reaffirm ETRI’s leadership in advancing next-generation ICT technologies.
ETRI further enhanced international cooperation by collaborating with 38 member countries of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), successfully leading the APT WTSA Preparatory Meeting (chaired by Dr. Hyoung Jun KIM), and preparing a total of 45 joint contributions throughout the WTSA-24 preparation process. This collaborative effort is expected to provide a solid foundation for South Korea to sustain its leadership in ICT standardization at the global level.
ETRI President Seung Chan Bang said, “The successful election of chairpersons and the approval of new resolutions at WTSA-24 represent major achievements that underscore ETRI’s technological capabilities and influence within international standardization organizations in this era of technological competition.”
ETRI will continue to lead international standardization activities, expand South Korea’s role, and strengthen the global competitiveness of the Korean ICT industry. Through global partnerships, ETRI aims to drive innovation in ICT technologies and lead initiatives for the advancement of the global ICT ecosystem. These efforts are expected to contribute to the growth of the global ICT industry and elevate South Korea’s technological standing.
The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA), held every four years by the ITU, is a major global event that sets the policy direction for telecommunications standardization and fosters international cooperation. WTSA-24 was attended by approximately 3,700 participants from 164 countries, with major outcomes including the approval of new standardization procedures, study topics, and key resolutions on the Metaverse and Digital Transformation.
1) World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU): The highest decision-making body of the International Telecommunication Union’s Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) that elects leadership position of each Study Group (SG), and discusses resolutions and recommendations for ICT standardization
2) APT: Asia-Pacific Telecommunity, an intergovernmental organization promoting ICT development in the Asia-Pacific region
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ETRI is a non-profit government-funded research institute. Since its foundation in 1976, ETRI, a global ICT research institute, has been making its immense effort to provide Korea a remarkable growth in the field of ICT industry. ETRI delivers Korea as one of the top ICT nations in the World, by unceasingly developing world’s first and best technologies.
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