Korea ranked 6th in Internet study

Of the 11 most industrially advanced countries, Korea ranked sixth in a comprehensive assessment of the information technology environment, according to the U.K. Department of Trade and Industry. In a report yesterday at the second U.K. - Korea Electronic Commerce Policy meeting held in Seoul, the British agency said Korea topped the 11 countries in Internet access rate, with a 95 percent score. According to the study, 97 percent of small to medium-sized companies in Korea had access to the Internet, whereas only 43 percent of their British counterparts boasted that rate. But when taking into account other factors to evaluate the information technology field, such as human resources or the Internet environment, Korea ranked 6th. Ireland topped the list, followed by Canada, and the United States. The United Kingdom was ranked 7th. Since 1998, the British ministry has conducted the international benchmark study on the so-called G7 countries. On the suggestion of Korea at last year’s electronic commerce meeting in London, the ministry included Korea and China starting this year. At the meeting, Korea’s Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Energy and the British counterpart discussed cooperation in electronic trade, health and learning. by Kim Jong-yoon