UK extends international co-operation on digital government
The signing of agreements with the Republic of Korea underline the UK’s commitment to maximise the benefits of open, digital government.
3 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on digital collaboration were signed in a ceremony at the UK Government Digital Service by Francis Maude and Choi Mun Kee, Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning for the Republic of Korea.
The ceremony coincided with the state visit to the UK of the President of the Republic of Korea, Park Geun-hye.
The focus of the agreements is on technical standards and building digital government services based on open principles.
2 of the MoUs will enable sharing of knowledge and capability and facilitate joint projects between the Cabinet Office and the 2 Korean ministries. The third provides for a regular IT policy forum on matters including cyber security, internet governance and digital government.
Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude said:
On my recent trip to Korea I was hugely impressed by the technological innovation on display and by the progress on the digital development of the public sector.
Like Korea, we are committed to creating modern digital public services that underpin an open society and put the needs of the citizen first. As demonstrated at last month’s Cyber Conference in Seoul, we are also united in our determination to secure a free internet while developing protections against cyber attack.
We have much in common, but we also have much to learn from each other. Sharing knowledge and experience across borders is key to maximising the potential for growth, efficiency and creativity in technology, while minimising the threats to people’s security. The agreements we’ve signed today will accelerate that process and help our countries meet the growing demand from citizens for more open, efficient and accountable government.
The 3 MoUs are on:
- digital collaboration – between Cabinet Office and the Korean Ministry of Security and Public Administration
- digital education, innovation and growth – between Cabinet Office and the Korean Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning
- creating an IT policy forum – between Cabinet Office and the Korean Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning