S. Korean IT competitiveness reaches 90 pct of U.S.

By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, Jan. 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's competitiveness in the information
technology (IT) sector reached 90 percent of that held by the United States in
2008, a government poll showed Tuesday.
The poll of 3,000 domestic experts in the IT industry and academia showed the
country's competitiveness ranking jumping 4 percentage points from 2006 when the
last estimate was taken, the Ministry of Knowledge Economy said.
The rating scheme places the United States, which has traditionally dominated the
field, as the benchmark with other countries being measured in comparison.
Japan's competitiveness was rated at 95 percent of the industry leader, with
Europe coming in at 94 percent.
China was rated at 76 percent of the U.S., slightly lower than Taiwan, which came
in at 79 percent.
The ministry said that while the U.S. ranked at the top overall, Europe led the
world in digital broadcasting, with Japan leading in displays, light-emitting
diodes, optics and rechargeable batteries.
South Korea enjoyed world-class technology levels in volatile memory chips, large
TVs, digital information displays and mobile radio frequency identification
devices. It also did well in active matrix organic light emitting diodes and
Internet protocol television receivers.
Experts, meanwhile said the future of the IT industry rests in the development of
real-time translation devices, solar cells and advanced bio-sensors.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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