"The mission given to our Intellectual Property Administration is to, in step with the popular sovereignty government's governing philosophy, ensure that intellectual property becomes the driving force that opens a leading economic nation, and to fulfill our role as the control tower for intellectual property that achieves our economy's 'real growth.'"
As the Intellectual Property (IP) Administration, the control tower for IP policy in the Republic of Korea, officially launched on the 1st of last month, former Korea Intellectual property Protection Agency (KOIPA) head Kim Yong-seon took office as the inaugural Minister. The Intellectual Property Administration was elevated to an administration-level "cheo (처)" for the first time in 48 years since the opening of the Korean Intellectual Property Office in 1977.
At the inauguration ceremony on the 5th, Minister Kim said, "In this transition period when the global supply chain is being reorganized by the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution and U.S.-China competition, intellectual property must become the driving force that opens a leading economic nation," adding, "We will fulfill our role as the control tower supporting the government's 'real growth.'"
Kim presented as key tasks: ▲ carrying out the role of the government's "chief intellectual property officer" ▲ supporting technology-leading growth based on AI and intellectual property data ▲ activating intellectual property transaction, commercialization, and financing ▲ fair protection for small and midsize enterprises and Start - Up ▲ and pioneering emerging markets.
Minister Kim emphasized that the administration will support establishing technology strategies based on patent information and securing core R&D technologies in advanced fields such as AI and quantum technology. He also promised to establish a fair intellectual property market order and supplement laws and systems, including blocking the distribution of counterfeit goods, eradicating the theft of small and midsize enterprises' technologies, and strengthening response systems to overseas NPEs. In addition, through expanding entry into ASEAN and the Middle East and serving as a bridge between advanced and developing countries, he said he would solidify the "status as one of the five leading IP nations."
Minister Kim, a native of Goheung, South Jeolla, graduated from the Department of Urban Administration at the University of Seoul and entered public service by passing the 37th civil service examination. At the Korean Intellectual Property Office (now the Intellectual Property Administration), he served as director of international cooperation, Spokesperson, director general of industrial property policy, presiding judge at the Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board, and Vice Minister, and he also served as head of the Korea Intellectual property Protection Agency (KOIPA). He is regarded as an IP policy expert who combines practice and theory, having earned master's and doctoral degrees in law from the University of Washington in the United States. He also served as vice chair of the WIPO Coordination Committee.
Minister Kim said, "We will build an organization where diverse talent comes together to create competitiveness," adding, "We will reflect the philosophy of the Patent Act in personnel and operations so that innovative ideas lead to practical policies."