The Ministry of Science and ICT accelerates the implementation of the data economy in line with the revision of the three data laws.
A priority support system was implemented, with a separate allocation of 5 billion won for COVID-19 response.


The Ministry of Science and ICT will be accepting applications for key data utilization projects for 2020, including data vouchers and MyData, starting March 30th to revitalize the data economy.

This year, considering that the use of pseudonymized information has become possible following the revision of the Data 3 Act, the Ministry of Science and ICT plans to actively promote data utilization projects to strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners in each industrial sector and accelerate the transition to a data economy.

Data Voucher Support Project
The data voucher support project, which has been promoted since 2019, supports data purchase and data processing services for small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners who are experiencing difficulties in utilizing data due to cost burden and lack of specialized personnel. This year, a total of 1,420 vouchers (approximately KRW 57.5 billion) will be supported.

Starting this year, we will work with nine government ministries and affiliated organizations, including the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, the Financial Services Commission, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the Ministry of Environment (Korea Meteorological Administration), the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, to identify demand and, in accordance with the revision of the Data 3 Act, include pseudonymization and anonymization (de-identification) processing in processing work to intensively identify and support demand for pseudonymized information processing in each field.

Applicants include prospective entrepreneursWe plan to expand the scope of application to resolve difficulties in starting a business due to lack of data.

Additionally, a priority support system for COVID-19 response will be established, with a separate allocation of 5 billion won for research and service development to treat, prevent, and contain the spread of infectious diseases, while the scope of support will be expanded to include universities and research institutes.


Support for MyData verification services
The MyData (Personal Information Utilization Support) project has been underway since 2019 to establish a personal data management and utilization system centered on the data subject, maximize the convenience of the data subject through the use of personal data, and create a safe data utilization ecosystem.

Last year, we discovered eight MyData utilization services in five fields, including healthcare, finance, and energy, and this year, with the goal of activating the participation of companies that possess and utilize personal data, we are expanding the support target to eight fields, including healthcare, finance, public, distribution/logistics, culture, communications/media, education, and energy.

This year, in particular, we will focus on building a MyData platform that allows individuals to collect, store, manage, and utilize their own data, thereby fostering a data distribution and utilization system centered on the information subject.

Applicants must be a consortium of companies or institutions building a MyData platform, personal data holding institutions, and personal data utilization institutions. Selected projects will receive up to 1 billion won in development costs per project to develop and launch MyData platforms and services.


Data Flagship
The Data Flagship Project is a project that supports the development of products and services for solving social issues and business innovation by utilizing big data and AI technologies. A total of 10 projects (totaling 5 billion won) will be supported this year, regardless of whether they are public or private organizations. Participation is possible.

This year, given the significant social damage caused by COVID-19, one of the ten projects will be supported as an emergency project, utilizing the latest big data and AI technologies to develop data and analysis capabilities for the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's infectious disease epidemiological investigations and to enhance the epidemiological investigation support system.

In addition, the SME Big Data Analysis and Utilization Support Project provides customized consulting services through collaborations between local governments, regional SMEs, and big data specialists, enabling SMEs to leverage big data to strengthen their competitiveness and create new business value.
An official from the Ministry of Science and ICT said, “We will promote data utilization to create success stories that the public can feel, while also sparing no policy support to solve social problems.”