Steve Ballmer CEO of Microsoft

Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer (CEO) of Microsoft, recently visited Korea and exchanged a memorandum of
understanding (MOU) with the Korea Agency for Digital Opportunity and Promotion (KADO) on cooperation in easing the digital
gap in the domestic market. With Minister of Information and Communication Chin Dae-je attending, the head of the global IT
giant promised the support of W10 billion ($8.7 million) over the next three years.



MS is pushing ahead with a plan to set up a game R&D center and is also positively seeking an alliance with SK Telecom in
the next-generation telecommunications sector, the CEO said. At a meeting with Minister Chin, Ballmer said, “I have an idea for
an MS’s role in Korea’s ‘IT 839 Project' and want to forge partnerships with a lot of Korean firms"


by Lee Gwang-jae Reporter / voxpop@ittimes.co.kr




Q: Would you briefly explain your purpose of visiting Korea and results?


It is my first visit to Korea since 1998. I don’t think I have enough information on the Korean market, dubbed the ‘world’s greatest IT powerhouse? My visit is to see firsthand and figure out the Korean market and at the same time to seek partnerships with the Korean government and businesses. I’ve had a good chance to learn about Korea’s IT industry developments. Negotiations with the government and industry have progressed smoothly.



Q. Which cooperative areas are you discussing with the Ministry of Information and Communication other than removing Korea’s digital gap?


The partnership will start with easing the digital gap. I appreciate that Microsoft has a chance to contribute to easing the digital gap in Korea. I am especially impressed by the nextgeneration growth project, the “IT 839 Stratege", introduced by MIC Minister Chin Dae-je, and will seek ways in which Microsoft can cooperate in that area.



Q. Any possibility of a Microsoft R&D center in Korea?


We call R&D centers outside the U.S. “Innovation Centers" Any projects in Korea will be considered depending on the performance of innovation centers in Europe. Minister Chin proposed an X-BOX and online game-related R&D center construction. We are encouraged by the affirmative response by the Korean government for our whole investment plan due to the copyright issue.



Q. Are you consideing partnerships with domestic telecommunications firms such as KT and SK Telecom?


We have already had business ties with KT, and have a chance to cooperate with SK Telecom. We have common interests in many sectors with Korean concerns and a new business opportunity will be created in the mobile telecom network field. Negotiations will be made with the industry to supply new technology for integrated networks.



Q. What is your opinion on the Korean government’s open software support policy?


It is desirable for the Korean government to be open-minded toward all kinds of software. By software, I mean all kinds of commercial software, including that from Microsoft, from which job creation and economic growth is possible. Korea has a high-level commercial software industry, including exports. The government should encourage the use of open software to stimulate industry growth. A problem may occur when the government takes the side of a certain industry. I don’t think that the Korean government would do so and implement policies hampering industry growth.



Q. What do you think about the Korean Fair Trade Commission’s probe of MS Messenger’s “option item" sales practice?


The Korean government does not have a very different view from the EU’s executive commission. Leading businesses with high market share should also be guaranteed in their work enhancing their products' functions. Only the benefit of consumers matters. We are cooperating with the investigation process. The US federal court made a decision in favor of Microsoft recently and we expect that the Korean government will file a similar ruling in the Messenger case.