Leading the Digital and Green Transformation to Contribute to the Leap of a Trading Power
Article by IT Chosun: An Interview with Reporter Jo Sung-woo.
Amid rapid changes in global trade industry policies, concerns are rising about the weakening export strategies of domestic companies. The need for the development of national standards and support for overseas certification has been emphasized to enhance export competitiveness.
Korea Testing Certification institute (KTC) is actively strengthening its testing and certification systems across various industrial sectors and providing support for overseas certification. Its goal is to contribute to the support of exports and the leap of becoming a trading power for domestic companies.
President Sungil Ahn, who has set new goals of "Regional Innovation," "Corporate Growth," and "Trading Power" based on the 13 strategic sectors, expressed his determination to achieve these objectives.
President Ahn, who entered public service after passing the 35th Administrative Examination, has accumulated most of his career in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE). He is recognized as an expert in the field of trade, having served in positions such as the Director-General of the Planning Office of the Free Economic Zone, Deputy Chief of the Telecommunications Division, and Deputy Minister for International Trade and Legal Affairs.
Taking the lead at KTC on January 1st this year, President Ahn introduced KTC as a core testing and certification institution with a 54-year history that supports domestic industries.
President Ahn stated, "Established in 1969, KTC is a globally competitive testing and certification institution that leads the digital and green transformation of industries. It ensures safety and reliability in society and supports not only the core capabilities of the manufacturing sector but also the interconnected industrial sectors."
Since assuming his position, President Ahn has been gaining field experience based on his extensive background in public service. He mentioned, "During my over 30 years in public service, I indirectly experienced the industrial field while formulating various industrial policies. After taking office, I am directly involved in implementing these policies, experiencing the testing and certification field, engaging with stakeholders, and actively listening to feedback from the field."
Furthermore, President Ahn explained that he has established new goals for KTC based on his experience. He stated, "Together with the employees, I have set new core values, as well as a vision and goals of 'Regional Innovation,' 'Corporate Growth,' and 'International Trade Leader' for KTC. Our aim is to go beyond being a simple testing and certification organization by helping companies quickly introduce new products to the market through trust verification and stability assessment, while fostering innovation in the region through infrastructure development."
President Ahn added, "We have signed agreements with 60 testing and certification institutions in 34 countries to support the exports of domestic companies to major countries in North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and others. We will play a practical role in achieving the three aforementioned goals."
He highlighted the government's investment of 2.744 trillion won this year for the development and preemptive measures in advanced industries and the digital and green transformation sectors, emphasizing that digital and green technologies are the main drivers of industrial transformation.
In alignment with this focus, President Ahn elaborated on the roadmap established by KTC for the 13 strategic sectors, which include digital transformation (semiconductors, software, 5G, smart appliances, intelligent robots), green transformation (electric vehicles, batteries, renewable energy, hydrogen, carbon reduction), as well as future growth industries and nationally important sectors (bio-health, small and medium-sized enterprises, defense industry, aviation).
President Ahn remarked, "The 13 strategic sectors consist of key industries in which KTC possesses core capabilities and aims to support for growth." He further explained that each department within KTC has designated dedicated department heads responsible for executing the projects in their respective sectors.
Regarding digital transformation, President Ahn mentioned the focus on the development of semiconductors, software, 5G, smart appliances, and intelligent robots. He highlighted KTC's role as the only testing and certification institution operating at the headquarters level in the information and communication field. KTC leads in IoT cybersecurity testing between devices, CC (Common Criteria) evaluation of information protection systems, GS certification for software quality, and IoT security certification services for communication network connection devices.
President Ahn also emphasized KTC's commitment to green transformation, particularly in fields such as electric vehicles, batteries, renewable energy, hydrogen, and carbon reduction. He highlighted the importance of the Energy Storage System (ESS) field and announced the opening of a related center in Samcheok next month to enhance KTC's testing and certification capabilities in this area.
President Ahn expressed his dedication to supporting exports and strengthening KTC's capabilities. He stated, "Among the many testing and certification institutions, KTC differentiates itself by continuously introducing new services as a competitive factor. As a first mover, we strive to provide innovative and customer-centric services to ensure satisfaction."
He cited the Intelligent Testing Certification Platform, launched in February, as an example of KTC's commitment to innovation. This platform introduces new technology among domestic testing and certification institutions, enabling the issuance of digital test certificates utilizing blockchain technology.
Furthermore, President Ahn highlighted KTC's strength in the field of electric vehicles, being recognized as the "Comprehensive Electric Vehicle Testing Certification Institution of Korea." KTC provides specialized testing evaluation and overseas certification services in this field. He also mentioned that KTC is expanding its testing and certification capabilities in other areas such as hydrogen vehicles, drones, robots, and Urban Air Mobility (UAM).
President Ahn expressed concerns about the rapidly changing trade industry policies in major countries, which may hinder the export strategies of domestic companies. He cited examples such as the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), CHIPS Act (Semiconductor Support Act), CRMA (Critical Raw Materials Act) in Europe, Supply Chain Inspection Act, and strengthened regulations on CE certification, which impose mandatory IoT cybersecurity certification for medical device management regulations. He emphasized that these changes can burden domestic companies, weaken their operations, and pose significant risks to Korea's export strategies.
To address these challenges, President Ahn stated that KTC is implementing projects to enhance the export competitiveness of domestic companies in line with the government's policies. This includes the establishment of a "Comprehensive Support Portal for Overseas Certification" and building substantial cooperative relationships. By signing business agreements with 60 testing and certification institutions in 34 countries, KTC contributes to enhancing the export competitiveness of domestic companies seeking to export to major countries worldwide.
President Ahn expressed his firm commitment to faithfully fulfill KTC's role in supporting the leap of becoming a trading power and providing export assistance to domestic companies. He emphasized that through the provision of fast and professional testing and certification services across the 13 strategic sectors, KTC aims to play a crucial role as a government policy support institution for regional innovation, corporate growth, and the advancement of Korea as a trading power. He emphasized the importance of lowering trade technology barriers (TBT) for companies through testing and certification, providing them with a solid foundation to achieve competitive advantages in global trade.
Additionally, President Ahn mentioned that KTC is devising measures to enhance its own competitiveness. While acknowledging that foreign companies currently account for about 40% of the domestic testing and certification market, he acknowledged the challenges faced by a non-profit organization in directly attracting investments. However, KTC is actively exploring measures such as identifying attractive investment products and conducting sales to investment institutions to strengthen its position.
