Ministry unveils plans for higher-tech military

The Ministry of Information and Communication said it will undertake five projects with the Ministry of National Defense, including the introduction of state-of-the-art information databases into the nation’s armed forces. “Information Minister Chin Dae-je visited some front line units Wednesday, and he was briefed on managing military tactics and communications,” said an official with the Information Ministry. “That’s when he finalized plans for cooperation with the Defense Ministry.” The official added that details of the five projects will be discussed in working-level talks between the two ministries, with the blueprint expected by year end. According to preliminary plans, a database that includes doctrines, research theses, field manuals and other information from the army, navy and air force will be established. The Information Ministry will also help establish information technology research centers on military bases to help the armed forces apply the latest technological developments to their operations. To ensure better control of transportation of military supplies, especially munitions, the two ministries will begin developing from next year an advanced distribution management system that includes technology using radio frequency identification, or RFID. The technology works by embedding radio chips in products, and is being used by logistics companies to track their inventories. “The RFID technology should enable the real-time monitoring of military supplies’ delivery routes and their storage locations,” said another Information Ministry official. Also under consideration are plans to train medical officers, chaplains and information and education officers to offer counseling to soldiers who are addicted to computers and the Internet; and instruction for officers and non-commissioned officers on how to best take advantage of information technology during their service. by Lee Weon-ho