Exporting Korea’s advanced archive system

The rapid development of information technology is affecting records management - 1,500 years of record-keeping on paper is being replaced by electronic records and archiving. Electronic records stored in digital signals are easy to manage and use, and it is the prerequisite for smart archival management. However, there are cons as well as pros.

Electronic records are volatile, and the software needed for production and management is short-lived, so we need more advanced measures to ensure long-term preservation and compatibility. The issue of technologically guaranteeing originality and authenticity also needs to be resolved.

This year, government ministries’ electronic records are being transferred to the Korean National Archives, marking the beginning of the electronic management of national records. Public records and articles that need to be preserved permanently are transferred to the National Archives 10 years after their creation, and for the first time this year, 3.3 million electronic records are being transferred.

Korea’s information and communications technology capacity has been proven in records management. Based on the world-class Internet infrastructure, a system connecting OnNara, a government-developed electronic record generation system; the record management system of each ministry; and permanent preservation at the National Archives in real time has been created.

The system makes sure no government record is left out from creation, enhancing government
transparency.

The accumulation of public records and information also contributes to the age of big data.

Recently, the government has exported electronic government ideas in security, transportation, procurement and taxation to underdeveloped countries. In September 2016, Korea will host the International Congress of Archives. Over 3,000 representatives of archives and experts from 199 member countries will gather to discuss the direction of records management and benchmark exemplary
cases.

Using this opportunity, Korea can promote the tradition and culture of archives in Korea and the advanced archive system we have built today.

by Chung Chae-gun, Vice minister of the Ministry of Security and Public Administration