South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol called Thursday for establishing a universal digital order during his speech at New York University on the sidelines of his visit to the United States, where he unveiled the country’s plan to introduce a Digital Bill of Rights. The bill of rights aims to formulate a universal standard in a world with different rules and guidelines, with Yoon adding that it will include five principles.

During the New York Digital Vision Forum held at New York University’s John Paulson Center, Yoon emphasized the borderless, interconnected, and immediate nature of the digital realm. He stressed the need for a universally accepted international digital order due to the existential threats posed by the intensification of digital technologies, citing concerns about disinformation and fake news.

He also announced Korea’s plan to launch the Digital Bill of Rights, which will outline the five fundamental principles of freedom, fairness, safety, innovation, and human welfare.

During his five-day trip to New York, Yoon also engaged in bilateral talks with at least 40 heads of state or government, demonstrating his commitment to Busan’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo. Kim Tae-hyo, first deputy chief of the presidential National Security Office, announced that Korea held its first summits with five countries, including Montenegro, Bosnia, San Marino, and Burundi, to establish bilateral diplomatic relations. Additional summits with Mauritania, the Kingdom of Eswatini, Nepal, and Haiti were also scheduled. Yoon previously conducted bilateral meetings with leaders from 20 countries during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Group of 20 summits earlier in September, totaling more than 60 engagements in just one month.

Meanwhile, in a separate announcement on the same day, The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), the Korea Software Industry Association, and the Institute of Information and Communication Planning and Evaluation signed a memorandum of understanding with New York University to collaborate on various endeavors including research, development, and human resource training, in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology. “This cooperation is seen as laying the foundation for stronger AI collaboration between Korea and the United States, potentially leading to the establishment of an AI-focused cluster in Manhattan, similar to the renowned bio sector cluster in Boston,” Senior Presidential Secretary for Economic Affairs Choi Sang-mok said.

By Park In-hye, Park Yun-gyun, Shin Yoon-jae, and Han Yubin

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