Read this quarter’s Intermedia here
Tuesday 11 February 2025 – Wednesday 12 February 2025
The IIC is delighted to be in Seoul, South Korea for our annual Asia Digital Communications and Media Forum.
Discussion themes will include:
• Policy & regulatory landscape in South Korea – agency structures, collaboration and cooperation, national and international priorities
• Digital infrastructure investment – 6G, satellite, submarine cables
• Digital content and culture – championing and protecting a vibrant creative economy
• Digital inclusion – closing the knowledge and literacy gaps in a highly connected society
• AI industrial policy roadmap – balancing innovation and risk
• Digital transformation of verticals – spotlight on eGov
• Online safety – UGC moderation, intermediary liability, age verification; privacy
• Future of news – countering dis- and mis-information, dark patterns, deep fakes
There will be simultaneous translation in English and Korean for all the events being held.
Kindly sponsored by
Registration Fees for delegates
Tuesday 11 February 2025 – Wednesday 12 February 2025
Annual Asia Digital Communications and Media Forum
IIC Members – Free
Non-Members – £250 GBP (excluding VAT *)
*VAT will be applicable for UK registrations only
** Please check eligibility to attend
If you feel the delegate fee may be a barrier to attending this event, please contact us at enquiries@iicom.org
Visas
The IIC will be pleased to provide a letter of invitation on request, but visas will be the responsibility of the event attendee.
The voco Seoul Gangnam is the Headquarter Hotel.
voco Seoul Gangnam
144 Dosan daero (Nonhyun dong)
Seoul 06040
South Korea
Tel: +82 02 3017 5003 -4
Email: rsvn@voseoulgangnam.com
Click here for more information
The following 4* hotels are also close to the voco Seoul Gangnam:
Four Points by Sheraton Seoul, Gangnam
203 Dosan-daero
Gangnam District,
Seoul
South Korea
Tel: +82221608900
Click here for more information
Aiden by Best Western Cheongdam
60-8 Nonhyeon-dong
Gangnam District
Seoul
South Korea
Tel: +82267111234
Click here for more information
Other hotels close to the headquarter hotel, can be found here on Google Maps
The IIC accepts no responsibility for bookings made at any of the hotels and recommends that you check out the hotels on the internet before booking.
Tae-kyu Kim is Vice Chairperson, Korea Communications Commission (KCC).
His professional experience includes:
He passed the 38th Judicial Examination
(the 28th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute)
Attorney, Jeil Law Firm LLC
Constitution Research Officer, Constitutional Court of Korea
Judge, Busan District Court
Judge, Busan High Court
Judge, Busan District Court
Judge, Changwon District Court
Presiding Judge, Daegu District Court
Presiding Judge, Ulsan District Court
Presiding Judge, Busan District Court
Attorney, Kim Tae-kyu Law Firm
Vice Chairperson, Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission
Mr Kim has the following degrees:
LLB, Yonsei University
LLM, Yonsei University Graduate School
LLM, Indiana University Maurer School of Law
LLD, Korea Maritime & Ocean University Graduate School
Amit Kushwaha embarked on his journey with AT&T in May 2021, assuming the leadership role in External and Regulatory Affairs for the company’s operations in India. Presently, he manages all regulatory policy and operational issues across India, Oceania, and the ASEAN region.
Working out of Gurgaon, India, Mr Kushwaha has a reputable track record in managing public policy, regulatory operations, compliances, strategy, and government affairs in India’s telecommunications sector. He is deeply involved in regional policy developments across various industries, including 5G, telecommunications, digital trade, personal data protection, data movement, privacy, IoT, cybersecurity, and AI governance.
At AT&T, his work involves ensuring license compliance, obtaining approvals and permissions from regulators/licensors, providing regulatory due diligence/advice for new B2B products/solutions, tracking crucial policy issues, updating relevant business teams to ensure compliance, and making policy submissions/representations to the government for the region.
Mr Kushwaha collaborates extensively with numerous industry associations such as the Association of Competitive Telecom Operators (ACTO), Internet Service Providers Association of India (ISPAI), US India Business Council (USIBC), AMCHAM India, Asia Pacific Carrier’s Coalition (APCC), and Broadband India Forum (BIF). He currently serves as the President of ACTO, Co-chair of the Digital Economic Committee at USIBC, and an EC member of ISPAI and BIF.
Before joining AT&T, Mr Kushwaha served as the Vice President of Regulations, Public Policy and Compliance at Bharti Airtel. Prior to his nearly 12-year tenure at Bharti Airtel, he was working with the Department of Telecommunications of the Indian Government for over 8 years, focusing on Network Deployment, Regulations, and Compliance.
Mr Kushwaha holds a Master’s Degree in Technology (Telecom Networks) and has also completed a Post-graduate Program in Public Management and Policy
Amjad El Nayal is a telecommunications engineer based in Bahrain. He currently serves as the Manager of Technology at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Bahrain, where he heads the industry technology portfolio covering everything from the adoption of the latest wireless technologies, to the national fibre network, advanced satellite communication and the Quality of Service and Experience from different access technologies, as well as emerging technologies such as AI and Industrial IoT and the innovations that they bring.
Amjad El Naya has been in the telecommunications industry for 18 years and has held multiple roles in mobile network engineering, business development, product marketing, consumer affairs and spectrum management, industry digitization and advising on technical matters both internally to the regulator and externally as an advisor to the Women in Tech Chapter of Bahrain, and also called upon by the Ministry of Justice and Islamic affairs as a Telecoms subject expert on telecommunications court cases.
Amjad El Naya started his career at a telecommunications operator and then made the move to the national regulator, giving him a deep and holistic understanding of the telecommunications and ICT sector
Angela Wibawa is a Director (Government and Inter-Governmental Organization (IGO) Engagement, APAC) at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
Before joining ICANN in 2023, Angela has spent most of her career in the Singapore public service, especially on the topic of international policy. Prior to joining ICANN, she worked at the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA). Angela obtained her Bachelor’s degree from the National University of Singapore.
Dr Baro Hyun is the Founder & CEO of LunaTone Inc., a pioneering digital content company operating in Japan and Korea. He also serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Temple University Japan, where he leads Japan’s first Esports Certificate Program. Additionally, he is the Chairman of the Innovation and Digitization Committee at the World Esports Consortium (WESCO) and the author of the Amazon bestseller Demystifying Esports.
Before founding LunaTone, Dr Hyun established and led KPMG Japan’s Gaming and Esports division, advising prestigious clients such as Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) and the Japan Esports Union (JeSU). His accolades include the Grand Prize at the Cool Japan Matching Award 2022, the KPMG Japan Chairman Award, and Microsoft’s 2018 Partner of the Year AI Award.
Dr Hyun earned his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan and began his career at Hyundai Motors R&D in South Korea.
Bum Soo Chon is a Professor in the Department of Media at Hanyang University, Korea. He served as the 36th president of the Korean Association for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Studies from 2023 to 2024.
His research interests encompass global media industry and policy, as well as digital media platforms and content.
Dr Chang Yong Son is Director General of Communication Conformity Assessment Center in the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), Republic of Korea. He obtained his PhD in City, University London, UK, holding Certified Public Accountants in US. He served a Director in Radio Resource Planning Division and Radio Environment and Safety Division in National Radio Research Agency and Expert on ICT and Development in United Nations of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP). Before join the UN ESCAP, he worked as a Director of MSIT and worked for communication regulatory institutions including the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, the Korea Communications Commission and the Korea Broadcasting Commission. He awarded the ‘Republic of Korea Civil Servant Award 2023’, recognizing his contribution to ICT development and global cooperation. His interests fall within communication policy and social change, especially digital development, artificial intelligence, and spectrum management. In 2024, he published ‘Digital Technology and Communication Policy in Korea: From Infrastructure to Artificial Intelligence’ in Lexington Books.
Chee Kheong Foong is Group Chief Regulatory Officer, Group Corporate Office, Axiata Group Berhad. Axiata is one of the largest Asian telecommunications companies, operating in ten countries and servicing approximately 290 million subscribers.
Mr Foong has over 17 years’ experience in the field of mobile and fixed telecommunications, internet broadband, broadcasting and multimedia, primarily in regulatory strategy and policy development. Prior to this current position, he was in regulatory management roles in Digi Telecommunications, Celcom Axiata, U Mobile and the Multimedia Development Corporation.
Mr Foong holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Queen’s University Belfast, United Kingdom, and an MBA from the University of Strathclyde.
Bio coming soon …..
Clive Kenny is a Manager in the Telecoms, Media and Digital practice at Frontier Economics. Mr Kenny has 15 years’ experience advising clients on a range of competition, regulatory and policy issues related to connectivity, digital and media markets. He has advised private and public sector clients on media and digital policy, mergers, spectrum in countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Daisuke Furuta is the editor-in-chief of the Japan Fact-check Center (JFC). He worked as a reporter and digital editor for The Asahi Shimbun and then joined BuzzFeed Japan as the founding editor-in-chief. After that, he worked as a teaching fellow for Google News Lab from 2020 to 2022. He is a board member of the Digital Journalist Education Institute.
Debra Richards took up the role Director of Studio & Production Affairs at Netflix in September 2019, covering studio affairs, production and content policy for the APAC region. She has over 35 years communications, media & screen industry experience, previously as CEO of the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA), a director of Australia’s broadcasting regulator, then the Australian Broadcasting Authority (& Tribunal) and as the immediate past CEO of Ausfilm, attracting major production and post production work to Australia.
Ms Richards has been involved in most screen content policy and production industry issues during her working life as regulator, stakeholder and advocate covering local content, sports rights, copyright, digital conversion and distribution disruption. She was also an advisor to a previous federal Communications & Arts Minister, Michael Lee.
Ms Richards is a Vice President of the Communications and Media Law Association (CAMLA) Board; a Director of the International Institute of Communications, Australia (IICA); Deputy Chair of the Alcohol Beverage Advertising Code (ABAC) adjudication panel; a Director of Northcott, a professional member of the Australian Film Institute (AFI) and a marriage celebrant.
Ms Richards has recently been reappointed as a Member of the Australian Film, Television & Radio School’s (AFTRS) Council (and is currently Deputy Chair) and a member of the NSW Film & Television Industry Advisory Committee.
Hackjai Kim is Chief Producer of the Morning Daily News at Korean Broadcasting System (KBS).
Mr Kim is currently pursuing a PhD in journalism, with a particular focus on the challenges posed by artificial intelligence in the field. The rapid proliferation of misinformation, including AI-generated deepfakes, fabricated images, and misleading text-based news, poses significant threats to public trust and media integrity.
Dr Heung Youl Youm is a professor (emeritus) at the Soonchunhyang University, Korea. He has been the chairman of the Korea Chief Privacy Officer Council (KCPO) since September 2024. He had been a Commissioner for the Personal Information Protection Commission in Korea from 5 August 2020 to 4 August 2023.
Regarding his experience in international standardization area, he is a vice-chair of ITU-T TSAG in this study period (2025-2028). He had been a Chair of ITU-T SG17, security, from 2017 to 2024. His experience and accomplishments in ITU-T SG17 since 2003 at both the technical and management levels are impressive.
Dr Youm joined ETRI (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute) in 1982. He was a senior member of the technical staff working on developing high-speed transmission systems until 1990.
From 1990, he has worked as a professor for the Department of Information Security Engineering of the Soonchunhyang University, Korea. He became a Professor (emeritus) at the same University in March 2024. He is currently the Director of the SCH Cybersecurity Research Centre at Soonchunhyang University. From October 2006 to February 2009, he was a Project Manager of Information Security for the former Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) and/or the Institute for Information Technology Advancement (IITA).
Dr Youm had been active in the policy advisory committee for the Office of National Security in the Korean presidential office from October 2019 to May 2022 and the policy advisory committee for the Ministry of Interior and Safety in 2020, served for Korea Information Security Agency as a Board Director from May 2020 to October 2023 and had been in many (advisory or self-performance evaluation) committees in the area of Information Security and privacy for the Korean ministries: the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) from 2008 to 2016, the Ministry of Science and ICT (including former the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP)) from 2013 to 2019, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MoTIE) from 2015 to 2016. He has been Chairman of the ISMS/PIMS certification committee in Korea since 2007 and was chairman of the committee on information security in the PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games from 2015 to 2018.
Dr Youm received a Bachelor degree in 1981, a Master degree in 1983, and a Ph.D. degree in 1990, all in Electronics Engineering from Hanyang University, Korea.
He received the Order of Service Merit (Red Stripes) in February 2024, Service Merit Medal from the President of Korea in April 2020, respectively. He also received the President Award from the Korean President in October 2014, and the awards from the KCC (Korea Communications Commission) in December 2009 and December 2015, the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning in December 2015 and December 2019, and the Korea Institute of Information Security and Cryptology in December 2015. He also received the Lifetime Achievement award from AsiaJCIS19 in August 2019.
Fascinated by communication technology and computers from an early age, Hiro was profoundly inspired by the Silicon Valley movement. His visit to the West Coast of the United States during his middle school years exposed him to the transformational impact of technology on society, which led him to immerse himself in software development upon his return to Japan. During high school, he developed an internet service, which became the catalyst for his entrepreneurial journey. Since then, Hiro has established multiple startups focused on semiconductor development and data center operations, with bases in Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and the U.S. Following the advent of blockchain technology, he recognized the potential of multi-point distributed information and communication infrastructure, founding a research and development company to advance data protection through encryption technology. As a technical advisor and representative for major corporations, he has actively contributed to social implementation.
In 2022, Hiro co-founded the private think tank “8M Labs”. In response to the rapid growth of generative AI in 2023, he established “Quantum Mesh” to urgently address the need for infrastructure that safeguards information. His current focus is on developing and operating edge data centers as a culmination of his efforts, with the vision of creating a society where everyone can equally benefit from a highly information-rich environment without disparities.
Korean Film Council (KOFIC) is an institution under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea(ROK). It establishes policies and supports the entire value chain of the industry, including film production, distribution, education/training programs, overseas exchanges, and more. With its wide array of policies and initiatives, KOFIC bolsters a strong foundation for the sustainable growth of Korean films.
For more than 25 years since joining KOFIC in 1999, Hyoun-soo Kim has been in charge of various tasks, the most prominent was creating and launching the real-time box-office information system called KOBIS (Korea Box-office Information System). He has also worked for the support of various sector within the industry; arthouse cinema, equity investment funds for the production, training program of KAFA (Korean Academy of Film Arts; training institution under KOFIC), and international promotion for the Korean cinema, etc. Lastly, he served as the director of Film Policy department and currently working as the director of Funding and Support department from 2022 to the present.
Hyuna Choi is a researcher at the Internet Address Policy Team of the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA).
She has been dedicated to strengthening Korea’s internet governance capabilities for many years. She plays a role in operating Korea Internet Governance Alliance (KIGA), serving as Korea’s NRI Coordinator and a member of the KrIGF Program Committee to foster discussions on internet address and governance policy issues.
Additionally, she is committed to nurturing the next generation of internet governance experts by collaborating with professionals and professors in the field, while running various programs to engage and empower young people.
His Excellency Ibrahim bin Sultan Ibrahim Al Hashmi was appointed Director of the Media and Communication Department as per Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Decision No. 51 of the year 2022.
Before this HE Mr. Ibrahim Sultan Al-Hashmi was appointed as Acting Director of the Information Office, according to His Excellency the DeputyPrime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Decree No. 70 of 2021.
Since joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Al-Hashmi has served in the Office of the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs in the fields of Communication, Public Diplomacy, and Special Projects. He is a member of the Doha Forum team, the annual most prominent platform for dialogue in the region. He also served in the permanent delegation of the State of Qatar in Geneva during the 47th and 48th sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Mr. Ibrahim Al-Hashmi served as the Secretary of the Media Committee of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management during the first wave of the pandemic, which worked effectively with the state authorities to developand to follow up with the media plans related to the COVID Pandemic. The media committee also organized the press conferences of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management.
Before joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Al-Hashmi served in the office of the chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, and also worked as a teaching assistant in the Media Department at the College of Arts and Science at Qatar University.
Mr. Ibrahim Sultan Al-Hashmi received his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Media Communication and Media Industries and Technologies from Northwestern University in Qatar, where he served during his undergraduatecareer period as a teaching assistant and research assistant for several courses. Upon his graduation, Ibrahim Al-Hashmi received First Class Honors and Hamad bin Khalifa President Award for Academic Excellence.
Developing digital solutions and investments to meet Japan’s economic and national security mission needs through digital security transformation. Leveraging 30 years of experience in US and Japan leading technology policy on cloud computing, Internet, cyber security, data privacy, trade, spectrum and related emerging technology issues.
His past roles include head of public policy for Amazon Web Services Japan; Senior Attorney Advisor in the Office of Engineering and Technology and Associate CIO for Mobile and Data Strategy at the Federal Communications Commission; Adjunct Professor of Law at the American University, Washington College of Law; 2004-2006 Mansfield Fellow.
John David Kim is Strategic Engagement Director and Head of North East Asia at the GSMA. In this role, he is responsible for engaging with GSMA mobile operator members, ecosystem partners and government/policy-makers in the Asia Pacific Region. His activities involve working closely with these organisations to introduce, implement and execute GSMA initiatives/programmes to foster innovative business/commercial strategies, new technology adoption/commercialization and general policy and regulatory developments across a range of topics such as IoT, 5G commercialization, VoLTE Interconnection and RCS etc.
With over 20 years of research and consulting experience in the ICT and Telecoms industry, especially in North East Asia, Johnny has executed and directed major research and consulting studies for MNOs, vendors and government/regulatory bodies across a wide range of areas. Prior to joining the GSMA, he worked as Regional Head/Managing Director for ICT global research and consulting companies specializing in Telecoms & ICT and key industry verticals, respectively for North East Asia.
Johnny completed studies in Science and Business/Marketing at the University of Melbourne and Swinburne University of Technology, respectively and has also completed postgraduate studies in Economics and Applied Information Systems.
Junho Kim is the Division Head/General Manager in the Corporate Relations department at SK Telecom, a mobile operator in Korea. With over 17 years of experience, including working in the infrastructure department at SK Telecom, Mr Kim has primarily focused on ICT regulatory strategy and policy development for networks.
Mr Kim holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and a Master’s degree in Information and Media Strategy from Yonsei University in Korea.
Kingsley Yeung is the Assistant Director (Support) of the Office of the Communications Authority, the executive arm of the Communications Authority established in April 2012 as the unified regulator for the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors in Hong Kong, China.
Mr Yeung oversees matters relating to enforcement of the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Ordinance (Cap.593), provision of technical support for the regulation of broadcasting services, liaison with overseas regulators and international organisations, management of media relation and publicity campaigns, as well as handling of general complaints and administrative matters including accounting, human resources and information technology.
With a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, Kumsun Kim provides legal support to Microsoft’s enterprise business in Korea, supporting regulatory compliance of the company and its customers. Her main job is to help regulators and customers better understand the Microsoft AI and Cloud through the lenses of data protection, privacy, cybersecurity, ultimately aiming at fostering trust and integrity in the market. By engaging with regulators and customers navigating the complex and ever-evolving regulatory landscape, she helps to translate market feedback into actionable insights for legislative and enforcement bodies, thereby promoting a balanced and effective regulatory framework. Prior to Microsoft, she worked at law firms in Korea, where she managed privacy, software license, copyright related matters and M&A transactions.
Professor Kyoungjin Choi is professor of law and director of center for AI·Data and Policy at Gachon University. As a representative expert with a long period of academic research and practical experience in artificial intelligence, data and privacy, he served as chairman of the Drafting Committee for the Personal Information Protection Act fully revised in 2023 and president of the Personal Information Protection Law Association.
Professor Choi is President of the Korea Association for Artificial Intelligence and Law and chairman of the Korea Association of Personal Data Professionals.
He has also served as Korea Delegate to United Nations Commission on International Trade Law and as a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation E-Commerce Business Alliance Expert Committee for many years. Choi is also a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Expert Group on AI, Data and Privacy as well as the OECD Data Free Flow with Trust Expert Community.
Professor Kyung Sin Park a.k.a. “K.S.”, is Professor at Korea University Law School, having been one of the nine Commissioners of the Korea Communications Standards Commission, and one of 20 members of the congressionally appointed National Media Law Advisory Committee.
He has written academically and been active on the issues of internet, free speech, privacy, defamation, copyright, etc., through organising (and expert-testifying in) major free speech and privacy lawsuits and legislative advocacy, including the 2012 unconstitutionality decision on Internet Real Name Registration Law, the 2010 decision on online “false news” provision, the 2011 online election campaign regulation, and the 2011 suit against telcos and portals for warrantless disclosure of identity data. In 2008, he also founded the Clinical Legal Education Center of Korea University School of Law (f.k.a. Global Legal Clinic) and under CLEC’s auspices, founded both www.internetlawclinic.org, an online platform for free online counseling in 2011 and www.transparency.or.kr, a national transparency reporting project on both surveillance and censorship of the Korean government in 2014.
As one of the founders and the current Executive Director of Open Net Korea, Executive Director of the PSPD Law Center, Professor Park also was a key drafting partner in the Principles of Application of International Law on Communication Surveillance www.necessaryandproportionate.org and International Principles on Intermediary Liability www.manilaprinciples.org.
Professor Park has an AB in Physics, Harvard University; and JD, UCLA Law School, Class of 1995.
Kyunghi Chang received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in electronics engineering from Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea, in 1985 and 1987, respectively, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA, in 1992. From 1989 to 1990, he was with the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) as a member of the research staff. From 1992 to 2003, he was with the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) as a Principal Member of the technical staff. He is currently with the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Inha University.
He was a recipient of the Haedong Academic Awards, in 2010, MSIT Minister’s Commendation and KICS Fellow in 2020, and Presidential Commendation, in 2021. He is currently a Chairman of 6G Forum, Executive Committee, and Chairman of Technology Committee for National Integrated Public Network. He has served as a Vice President at the KICS from 2017 to 2023.
Louis Boswell is the Chief Executive Officer of AVIA, the Asia Video Industry Association. As CEO his remit is to lead the industry through championing all broad-based initiatives that result in a more vibrant and healthy video ecosystem. This includes being at the forefront of industry research, supporting evolving business models, understanding the role of technology, representing the industry in conversations with regulators and taking a leading role in eliminating piracy.
Mr Boswell’s background in Asia includes senior positions at Discovery, ESPN Star Sports, BBC, AETN All Asia Networks and, most recently, as the General Manager, Asia for Da Vinci. His experience includes leading businesses in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and all of the major markets in southeast Asia.
Mr Boswell has a degree in Chinese from Oxford University.
Lynn Robinson became Director General of the International Institute of Communications (IIC), in March 2020.
Lynn is an experienced senior director and trustee / non exec-director, having held key senior leadership positions in the technology, built environment, regulation, accreditation and dental industries. She has extensive experience of professional membership bodies working within the full spectrum including, Regulatory bodies, Industry associations and Chambers of Commerce. Lynn is a well-known and established ambassador in these areas having led on many strategic programmes to aid engagement, growth, retention, change management, stakeholder and political engagement.
An experienced Trustee / Non-Executive Director as Vice Chair at Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust, a unique heritage site in the heart of Bristol (UK), Lynn is also a Trustee / Non-Executive Director at The Bristol and Bath (UK), Parks Foundation.
Reflecting on becoming Director General at the IIC at the outbreak of a pandemic, Lynn said, ‘these last two years have been like no other we have known, with many challenges coming our way. In 2020 we successfully pivoted the organisation through a digital transformation programme to maintain a full schedule of events and by increasing the outputs delivered. Transforming the programme enabled us to continue to deliver the professional service and increase our engagement with IIC members and stakeholder community to remain connected to them through such a difficult time.
As we move through 2022, I am delighted to return to a combined in-person and online programme and to continue to evolve the IIC in to the next phase, with the vision and strategic focus to deliver our objectives and to build on our growth, engagement and retention’.
At leading Japanese telecommunications companies such as NTT Docomo and SoftBank Mobile, Mr. Kinoshita spearheaded the launch of payment services and mobile content platforms. In the early 2000s, he played a pivotal role in establishing Japan’s first carrier-operated payment gateway services and led the development of the “Osaifu-Keitai” mobile wallet system, creating a foundational shift in the industry. He further advanced the field by promoting proof-of-concept initiatives and product development utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as NFC (contactless IC payment) and AR (augmented reality), driving forward innovative projects both domestically and internationally. His leadership spanned Japan’s three major carriers and the European mobile communications sector, enabling groundbreaking projects in payments and mobile content that significantly contributed to the industry’s progress. He has consistently demonstrated leadership in the mobile communications and payment sectors by promoting the adoption of electronic payment technologies and advancing new business initiatives.
Noelle Francesca de Guzman helps governments develop strategies that enable people to maximize the Internet’s benefit to their daily lives. She builds the capacity of decision-makers to understand and apply technology principles to policymaking, and convene thought leaders to tackle emerging Internet issues. Ms de Guzman leads projects that advance the Internet Society’s mission, and represent the organization in international fora such as the Christchurch Call Advisory Committee.
Prior to joining the Internet Society, Ms de Guzman was a development analyst for the global consulting firm Devex, examining public private partnerships trends in development cooperation, and edited the features section of the business daily BusinessWorld.
Ms de Guzman hold a Master’s Degree in Media, Communications, and Development from the London School of Economics, and a degree in Asian Studies from the University of the Philippines.
Dr. Osang Kweon is CEO of Digital Future Institute(www.dfi.re.kr), which explores innovative technologies and services and supports companies and individuals to grow by taking advantage of the digital revolution. He also is Adjunct professor at Yonsei University Law school, teaching on laws and policies in the field of Media, broadcasting and radio waves.
Dr Kweon has Analyzed and proposed various projects concerning government policies and business strategies on Media Industry, Internet, ICT, Telecommunications, and Broadcasting, He also Served as Policy Consultant to Ministry of Science and ICT(MSIT) and Korea Communications Commission (KCC) officials on Media and ICT Policy Issues. Dr Kweon recently conducted a study on mid- to long-term development plans for the digital creator industry of Korean local governments. He is interested in policies and regulations for nurturing and industrializing digital creators.
He obtained his Ph.D in law at Yonsei University.
Priya Mahajan is the Head of Asia Pacific Public Policy & Regulatory Counsel where she is responsible for strategic-level regulatory and policy advice regarding Verizon’s operations in Asia Pacific. Ms Mahajan previously served as Chief Counsel for Verizon-India where she led legal, regulatory & policy matters pertaining to India operations.
Her expertise includes consulting and advising on a range of telecom, media and technology matters. In her policy role, she works closely with the stakeholder’s policy makers, regulators and trade associations to build, support and promote the company’s policy position on ICT issues. She has successfully led policy efforts related to regulatory simplification, market access, digital trade, anti-trust, data protection & Cyber Security policy across the region.
Ms Mahajan holds honorary position at Executive Body of the Asia Pacific Carriers Coalition (APCC), an industry advocacy body representing the interest of global carriers, closely working with the policy makers in the Asia Pacific Region. She is a founding member of the Society of Women Lawyers (SoWL), a mentoring and professional platform for women lawyers in India.
Ms Mahajan is a qualified attorney, an Associate member of Institute of Company Secretaries of India. She has also attended the Accelerated Management Programme (AMP) at the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad
Dr Sonho Kim is Research Principal, Media Research Center, Korea Press Foundation (2014~Current). He is also Adjunct Professor, Graduate School of Journalism, Yonsei University (2016~Current).
He has previously held positions with the Artificial Intelligence and Copyright Policy Working Group (2024); Executive Director, Korean Society of Journalism and Communication Studies (2023); Naver and Kakao News Partnership Evaluation Committee (2021~2022, 2016~2017) and Executive Director, Korean Association of Broadcasting Studies (2021).
Research (recent English publications) are: (2016~Current) Korean Section of the Reuters Digital News Report; (Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism)
(2020); Effects of VR news on knowledge gain and news attitudes, International Journal of Mobile Communication, 18(3); (2019) Fake news should be regulated because it influences both others and me, Mass Communication & Society, 22.
Dr Kim has received the following awards: Minister Award, Ministry of the Environment, Korean Government (2023), Gallup Excellent Paper Award (2019)and Emerging Scholar Award, Korean Society of Journalism and Communication Studies (2014).
Dr Kim has a PhD Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania (2011), MA Journalism and Mass Communication, Korea University (1999) and BA Journalism and Mass Communication, Korea University (1996).
Soyoung Park is a Manager at the Digital Sex Crime Content Review Bureau of the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC), an independent statutory body responsible for regulating media content in South Korea. Since joining KCSC in 2013, she has led various international initiatives, including organizing KCSC’s annual roundtables and managing its global affairs. In her current role, she oversees KCSC’s engagement with foreign organizations and industry stakeholders, fostering global cooperation to address online sexual harms.
She is responsible for KCSC’s involvement with INHOPE, WeProtect Global Alliance, and Global Online Safety Regulators Network (GOSRN). She has been instrumental in establishing partnerships with platforms like Telegram, Discord, and OnlyFans, enhancing the collective response to online sexual exploitation and abuse. Alongside her expertise in online safety and international relations, she has extensive experience in the review and regulation of political programming on television.
She holds a B.A. in English Literature from Sungkyunkwan University and has completed the coursework for a master’s degree in International Law from Korea University, providing a strong foundation for her work in media content regulation.
With over a decade of professional experience, including my current tenure as Senior Director and Head of Public Policy at Roblox, Steve Park’s expertise lies in public affairs, particularly within the APAC region.
Previously, Mr Park led policy for Korea and Japan at Meta, focusing on technology and governance. He also serve as an advisor to the Korean government and several think tanks focusing issues such as national security, trade, and digital policy.
Sungjin Yoo is an Assistant Professor of Management Information Systems at the School of Business Administration, Soongsil University, Seoul, South Korea. Before joining Soongsil University in September 2022, Dr Yoo served as an Assistant Professor of Information Systems at Iona University, New York, from 2019 to 2022.
Dr Yoo’s research spans the regulatory dynamics of global OTT platforms, the disruptive impacts of sharing economy platforms, and IT security strategies. His work has been published in prestigious journals (such as the Journal of Management Information Systems, Journal of Operations Management, Journal of Strategic Information Systems, and Telecommunication Policy).
In addition to his academic endeavors, Dr Yoo collaborates actively with global streaming service providers and media companies, addressing critical industry challenges and providing actionable insights that drive innovation and sustainable growth.
Beyond academia, Dr Yoo contributes to professional communities as a member of the Korean Society for Quality Management and the Korean Society of Service Management board.
With over a decade of expertise in the smart city sector and a Ph.D. in Urban Planning, Dr Sungjin Park currently leads two of Korea’s premier smart city initiatives—the Sejong and Busan National Pilot City Projects—at LG Uplus. Since 2023, Dr Park has also served as Vice-Chair of the Future City Infrastructure Research Committee at theUrban Design Institute of Korea.
Previously, Dr Park spent 8 years as an IT consultant at Samsung SDS, driving large-scale smart city projects across Korea, the Middle East, and Asia. Additionally, she served as a senior urban planner at the Incheon Development Institute (now the Incheon Institute), focusing on strategic urban development and policy planning for Incheon.
Sungpil Shin is an AI standardization expert with over 10 years of experience at ETRI, specializing in the development global AI standards. He has actively contributed to key standardization bodies, including ITU-T SG13, ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 42, W3C WebML, and COVESA, focusing on artificial intelligence and its applications in fields such as robotics and autonomous vehicles.
He led the ITU-T standardization works, including Y.3531 (Machine Learning as a Service) and Y.Sup72 (Artificial Intelligence Standardization Roadmap), playing a central role in developing critical AI-related frameworks. He has also contributed as part of the Korean delegation to significant ISO/IEC standards, including ISO/IEC 22989, ISO/IEC 23053, and the ISO/IEC 5259 series. His involvement extends to emerging technologies through contributions to W3C’s Web Neural Network API and COVESA’s VSS specifications.
Currently, Mr Shin is actively engaged in AI safety evaluation projects at KR-AISI, focusing on defining and evaluating risks associated with foundation models. His work centers on risk measurement and safety assessment, viewed through the lens of de-facto standardization to ensure robust and reliable AI systems in global consensus.
Sylvie Lee is a public policy professional with extensive experience in managing regulatory issues and fostering stakeholder engagement. As Public Policy Manager for Korea at Meta, she has been instrumental in shaping the company’s policy landscape since November 2017.
In her role, Sylvie has successfully navigated complex policy and regulatory challenges, leveraging her expertise to promote understanding and support for Meta’s innovative technologies and family of apps, including Facebook and Instagram.
Prior to joining Meta, Sylvie served as in-house counsel for SK Telecom, where she played a key role in multiple cross-border transactions and M&A projects over seven years.
Sylvie holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations and Chinese from Tufts University in the US and a Juris Doctorate degree from the Washington College of Law, American University in the US.
Visiola Pula follows cybersecurity regulation at EU level and national cybersecurity developments in the Austria and Germany. At EU level, she focuses on initiatives such as the NIS2 Directive, 5G security, the Cyber Resilience Act and certification efforts under the EU Cybersecurity Act.
Ms Pula joined Cullen International in July 2015, after graduating from the University of Hamburg in EU Law and Affairs.
Cullen International is a leading regulatory intelligence provider recognised for its neutral analysis and clear explanations of telecoms and digital policy, regulation, and law.
Dr Yonghee Kim is a Research Fellow at OpenRoute Inc. and serves as an Adjunct Professor at the Graduate School of Media & Communication, Kyung Hee University. As a leading expert in media policy and digital transformation, he brings unique insights to both academic research and industry consulting. He has been deeply involved in shaping Korea’s media policy landscape, serving as an expert member of various government committees including the Convergence Development Committee of the Office for Government Policy Coordination and the Pay-TV Subscriber Verification Committee of the Ministry of Science and ICT.
His research spans crucial areas including media and ICT management, government policy consulting, and media ESG initiatives. Drawing from extensive experience in media industry policy analysis, efficiency studies, and ESG implementation strategies, he has made substantial contributions to Korea’s media ecosystem. He has been instrumental in bridging the gap between theoretical frameworks and practical industry applications, conducting numerous policy research projects for government agencies including the Korea Communications Commission, Ministry of Science and ICT, and Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
His academic contributions are widely recognized through publications in prestigious international journals such as Telecommunications Policy and Total Quality Management & Business Excellence. His recent research has broken new ground in understanding media company efficiency, global financial investment connectedness, and ICT strategies. Notably, his work on traditional media companies’ adaptation to the digital era has significantly influenced policy decisions and industry practices. He has played a pivotal role in developing major media policies, including the Broadcasting and Communications Development Fund and the Integrated Broadcasting Act.
Beyond his research and teaching responsibilities, he maintains an active presence in professional circles, serving as the Industry-Academic Cooperation Committee Chair of the Korean Society for Quality Management and holding key research directorships in the Korean Society for Broadcasting and Korean Public Relations Association. Through these roles, he fosters collaboration between academia and industry, contributing to more effective policy solutions and industry standards. His contributions have been recognized with commendations from both the Korea Communications Commission and the Ministry of Science and ICT. He continues to serve on numerous government committees as an expert member, actively shaping the future of media policy in Korea.
Dr. Youngsoo Yuk is Head of standardization Korea of Nokia. He represents Nokia’s telecommunication standardization and wireless policy in South Korea.
Dr Yuk has over 20 years’ experience in telecom sector with wide coverage in standardization, network engineering, wireless policies etc.
Dr Yuk has been working for various standard bodies in 3GPP, IEEE802 and TTA. He is active in various topics in Korea’s mobile spectrum and regulation and working closely with spectrum groups in Korea and Asia-pacific. He is leading Korea’s 6G activity as the vice-chairman of technology committee of 6G Forum, Korea.
Dr Yuk holds Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from Yonsei University, Korea.
Dr Zaki Khoury is a Senior Digital Development Specialist at the World Bank’ Digital Development Global Practice, and Task Leader of the Korea Digital Development Program (KoDi). His focus is on helping governments in advancing their data-driven digital transformation through enabling policies for digital infrastructure of the future (Cloud and AI), digital platforms and efficient services delivery, and effective use and reuse of data for innovative growth and development. He is currently supporting analytical and investment operations in East Asia Pacific and Middle East and North Africa regions.
Dr Khoury is trendsetter with a growth mind-set who authored and spoke extensively on issues of digital transformation, disruptive technologies, and digital development. He works collaboratively across sectors and is an active leading contributor to the Global work on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Development and Data Governance in Middle East and North Africa. He is also a member of the OECD network of experts on AI (ONE AI).
Dr Khoury previously led Microsoft’s cooperation with international organizations in the Middle East and Africa and with the World Bank in the public sector. He also managed the business operations in the Gulf region and supported public sector digital transformation across emerging and new markets.
Dr Khoury holds a PhD in Planning (UdeM), an MSc. in Economics (UCL) and a BSc.in Engineering (AU). He has also continued his executive education in Business (Harvard) and Management (McGill).
We give innovators and regulators a forum in which to explore, debate and agree the best policies and regulatory frameworks for widest societal benefit.
Insight: Exchange: Influence
We give members a voice through conferences, symposiums and private meetings, as well as broad exposure of their differing viewpoints through articles, reports and interviews.
The new website will make it easier for you to gather fresh insights, exchange views with others and have a voice in the debate
Take a look Learn more about our updatesYou are seeing this because you are using a browser that is not supported. The International Institute of Communications website is built using modern technology and standards. We recommend upgrading your browser with one of the following to properly view our website:
Windows MacPlease note that this is not an exhaustive list of browsers. We also do not intend to recommend a particular manufacturer's browser over another's; only to suggest upgrading to a browser version that is compliant with current standards to give you the best and most secure browsing experience.