[Unofficial Translation]

New York Initiative:

Solidarity for the Freedom of Digital Citizens

- Exploring a new digital order -

Digitalization is both a technology and a revolution at the same time. Humanity, through digital technology, has vastly increased the volume of information and the speed of its delivery. This has significantly expanded our communication capabilities, while shaping changes in our daily lives, and driving progress in technologies and industries.

Going digital, in essence, is all about speed.

It enables us to move beyond the limitations of time and space by connecting everything and scaling it up infinitely.

Digitalization is exerting an ever-growing influence on our lives.

To embrace the digital transformation permeating the fields of politics, the economy, society, and culture ─and, at the same time, preserve the universal values of humanity─ we need a new level of digital order.

All of us, as free citizens, should strive to realize freedom, solidarity, and human rights ─universal values pursued by humanity─ both in the real and digital worlds.

Above all, digital technologies should contribute to expanding freedom.

If digital technologies are governed by might and self-interest, rather than by freedom, solidarity, and human rights ─the universal values of humanity─ they themselves will become a controlling power and encroach upon freedom of humanity.

We therefore need to pool our wisdom to ensure that digital technologies contribute to expanding freedom, and establish a fair and reasonable framework of voluntary norms.

Everyone should be guaranteed equal access to digital data, use them responsibly, and in doing so, create economic and social values.

Moreover, there should be discussion on a different level on issues concerning the use of personal information as public data while ensuring their protection.

In the digital world, the impact of technologies reaches beyond the technological domain to all areas of politics, the economy, society, and culture.

The digital ecosystem should not be monopolized by certain classes, but rather shared by all humanity.

Digital transformation should not widen the digital divide and deepen polarization among nations.

The digital ecosystem should be open to everyone, and allow anyone to participate in it.

There should be intensive support to enhance digital access and convenience at both national and international levels.

To nurture our future generations into digital natives, a well-structured digital education programs should be put into operation.

In the digital era, humans and artificial intelligence will coexist side by side.

The concept of work and jobs should be redefined and joint endeavors are needed to develop responses to digital risks.

The Korean government’s Digital Platform Government initiative is a bold and innovative move to launch a new welfare system that takes closer care of marginalized people.

It will also usher in a new chapter of digital democracy.

As a leading nation in the sophisticated digital era, Korea will share its achievements with citizens of the world, and particularly with people in developing nations.

As we strive to create and safeguard a digital order that will help realize universal values of humanity,

I call on our fellow digital citizens to join our endeavors with passion and dedication.

Thank you!